Scorecard

Sri Lanka [ Images ] overcame a spirited Bangladesh fightback to win the second Test by an innings and 90 runs on Thursday and clinch the three-match series.

Mohammad Ashraful [ Images ] led a brave fight-back with an unbeaten 129 but could not prevent Bangladesh losing.

The tourists produced a much-improved display on the third day with Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim (80) sharing a record 191-run stand for the sixth wicket, the highest partnership in Bangladesh's Test history.

However, Sri Lanka soon wrapped up the game after Muttiah Muralitharan [ Images ] broke through after tea, taking the last five wickets for 30 to bowl out Bangladesh for 299 and claim an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Veteran left-armer Chaminda Vaas [ Images ] finished with four for 55 after claiming the wickets of Mohammad Sharif (two) and Mashrafe Mortaza [ Images ] (nought), both trapped lbw after Sri Lanka took the second new ball.

Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando also chipped in with three for 60 from 17 overs.

Ashraful bounced back after a duck in the first innings with a responsible knock, curbing his natural inclination to attack.

The 22-year-old mixed patient defence with some delightful strokes during a fourth test century that spanned 236 deliveries and included 18 boundaries. 

Rahim, selected ahead of the more experienced Khaled Mashud, provided solid support with a determined 80 from 183 balls, a personal best and his first half century in Test cricket.

Their partnership surpassed Habibul Bashar and Shariar Nafees' 187-run second-wicket stand against Australia [ Images ] in 2006, the previous highest by a Bangladesh pair in test cricket.

The third Test starts in Kandy next Wednesday.