Tamim brought up his tenth century in Tests © AFP
Sri Lanka finally managed to break into the Bangladesh lineup as they picked up three important wickets in the post lunch session on Day 3. However, opener Tamim Iqbal continued to battle and brought up his tenth century in Tests to guide Bangladesh to 220/3 by Tea, still trailing by 197 runs.

Tamim, who was just 11 short of the century when the session began, continued from where he left as he whipped away a delivery from Asitha Fernando to fetch a boundary. But Asitha had the last laugh in the over anyway by managing to break the 162-run stand that frustrated his side for almost 50 overs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had received a reprieve earlier, edged one behind to the keeper while attempting to glance a short delivery bowled down leg.

Tamim then reached three figures shortly after but saw Najmul Hossain Shanto walk back for just 1. Kasun Rajitha, who had come into this game as a concussion substitute, struck in his very first over. A delivery that straightened after pitching, took the outside edge through to the keeper.

The tables turned quickly thereafter as Mominul Haque also departed without making an impact, leaving Tamim waging a lone battle. The Bangladesh skipper tried to defend a delivery that came in but the ball went past the gap between the bat and pad to knock the stumps. It was Rajitha once again who made the breakthrough for the visitors. Bangladesh had more reasons to worry as the session progressed even though there was no further damage done. Tamim began struggling in the extreme heat and was cramping on more than one occasion. While he managed to get to 133 by the break, it will be interesting to see if he is fit enough to carry on batting in the final session.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 220/3 (Tamim Iqbal 133*, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 58; Kasun Rajitha 2/13) trail Sri Lanka 397 by 177 runs