Kumar Sangakkara became the fourth player in Test history to score 400 runs in a single match as Sri Lanka set up a final-day victory-tilt against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
Sangakkara made 105 in addition to his first-innings 319 to join Graham Gooch, Mark Taylor and Brian Lara in an exclusive club.
His century, combined with an unbeaten 100 from Dinesh Chandimal, helped Sri Lanka reach 305 for four declared to set Bangladesh a nominal 467 to win. The hosts were 12 without loss after a tricky eight-over mini-session that preceded the close.
Ajantha Mendis claimed two more wickets this morning to finish with figures of 6-99 and end Bangladesh’s first-innings on 426. The extent to which bat has dominated ball throughout the contest means Mushfiqur Rahim’s team will retain realistic ambitions of salvaging a draw to conclude the two-match series, in which they trail 1-0.
Mahmudullah had Dimuth Karunaratne, who failed to add to his overnight 30, caught at first slip and trapped his opening partner Kaushal Silva lbw for 29 to leave Sri Lanka 49 for two.
Shakib Al Hasan then sent Mahela Jayawardene back to the pavilion for 11 before Bangladesh were confronted with a familiar problem.
Sangakkara proved their nemesis once again as he plundered another ton, hitting two sixes and 11 fours in his 144-ball knock before becoming the fourth man out, bowled between bat and pad by Sohag Gazi.
Skipper Angelo Mathews joined Chandimal at the end of that 145-run stand and compiled a swift 43 before the tourists decided they had enough.