Murali puts Sri Lanka in charge

Muttiah Muralitharan (centre) is congratulated by his Sri Lanka team-mates © Getty Images

Muttiah Muralitharan bowled Sri Lanka into another strong position against Bangladesh before rain curtailed proceedings on day two of the third Test.

Muralitharan finished with six for 28 off just 14.5 overs as the tourists collapsed to 131 all out.

Rain then intervened, washing out the entire afternoon session, before the Sri Lankans dodged the showers to reach 30 without loss in reply before bad light brought a premature end to the day’s play.

Murali dominated what action there was, moving a step closer to his 700th Test wicket and a repeat performance of six wickets in the second innings would help him reach the milestone on his home ground.

Bangladesh resumed their first innings on 70 for four after a rain-hit first day which saw only 28 overs of play and Sri Lanka take advantage of the bowler-friendly conditions.

Initial resistance from Mohammad Ashraful and Tushar Imran, who put on 34 for the fifth wicket, was broken by Sujeewa de Silva who captured Imran for 17.

Left-arm seamer De Silva, playing in only his third Test match, was rewarded for some accurate bowling when Imran attempted to drive a pitched up delivery outside off stump.

The ball moved away off the seam and Imran edged it to skipper Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.

Michael Vandort hit 25 not out from 29 balls © Getty Images

Bangladesh captain Ashraful followed in a similar manner for 26 only four overs later.

Ashraful tried to drive a ball on a good length from De Silva through the covers but saw a thick edge fly through to Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene who took a regulation catch.

Muralitharan then came into the attack as the last four Bangladesh wickets fell for just 13 runs.

Mashrafe Mortaza was the first victim after making only five before edging a delivery tossed up on off stump into his pads as Muralitharan took a one-handed diving catch to his left.

Mohammad Rafique also made five before attempting a wild slog-sweep which he top-edged, leaving Muralitharan with the simplest of return catches.

Shahadat Hossain (0) became the Sri Lankan spinner’s fifth wicket four balls later when he got forward to defend a stock delivery outside off-stump but edged the ball on to his pads giving Tillakaratne Dilshan a catch at short leg.

Muralitharan wrapped up the Bangladesh innings with his sixth wicket in the 48th over as Syed Rasel (0) got an inside edge on to a flighted delivery which rebounded off his pad and was claimed by Chamara Silva at silly point.

Sri Lanka opener Michael Vandort and Upul Tharanga made steady progress to the close despite the interruptions caused by the weather.

At stumps, Vandort was on 25 not out with the more cautious Tharanga unbeaten on four.