Bangladesh lose early wickets between showers

KANDY, Sri Lanka, July 11 (Reuters) Bangladesh limped to 53 for two at tea on a rain-affected opening day of the third and final test against Sri Lanka today.

The tourists lost the wickets of Javed Omar (eight) and Habibul Bashar (18) in the 17.4 overs possible between the showers.

Opener Shariar Nafees was unbeaten on 20 and Rajin Saleh was yet to get off the mark at the interval.

Omar was trapped lbw by seamer Lasith Malinga for eight in the third over of the morning and Farveez Maharoof surprised Bashar with a delivery that cut back and lifted sharply to brush his gloves on the way to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka made three changes to the team that took an unbeatable 2-0 series lead in Colombo last week.

Opener Upul Tharanga returned after injury in place of Malinda Warnapura.

Fast bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando were also rested to make room for all-rounder Maharoof and left-arm seamer Sujeewa de Silva.

Bangladesh made two changes, dropping batsman Mehrab Hossain Jnr.

and medium pacer Mohammad Sharif. Batsman Tushar Imran and left-armer Syed Rasel were included in the side.

REUTERS BJR BD1733