At the end of the 3rd day, SriLanka in the driver’s seat against Bangladesh
Sports Desk: Srilanka lost 2 wickets in their second innings and ended the third day with 16 runs. Of course, Bangladeshis are not happy to see such a picture. Because the Lankans have already got a lead of 259 runs.
Captain Dimuth Koranaratne is unbeaten on 13 runs in Sri Lanka’s batting. Angelo Mathews left the field with one run at the other end.
However, Mehedi Hasan Miraj returned opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who scored two runs, to Nazmul Hossain Shantar. In the stumping of Liton Das, Oshada Fernando left the field with the ball of Taizul Islam for one run.
Bangladesh was bowled out for 251 in the first innings. SriLanka trailed by 242 runs from the first innings. However, Sri Lanka batted in the second innings without following Bangladesh.
Bangladesh lost 6 wickets for 37 runs in their first innings. Except for a few in the top order, none of them matched themselves.
Debuting SriLankan spinner Veteran Jayavikram has played. In the first Test innings of his career, he took 6 wickets with 8 maidens and 92 runs in 32 overs. Suranga Lakmal and Ramesh Mendis got two wickets each.
Earlier, Bangladesh made a great start in response to SriLanka’s run hill. However, the team lost wickets at regular intervals. Tamim Iqbal, who was out of the 90s in the first Test, is back in the shaky 90s.
The two teams take to the field in the second and final Test of the series on Saturday (May 1) at the International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Kandy. Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hasan put on 98 runs in their first innings. Saif returned with 25 off the veteran Jayabikram. However, in the first Test, centurion Nazmul Hossain was dismissed for zero off the ball of Shant Ramesh Mendis.
But Tamim remained steadfast on the wicket. In the third wicket partnership, he scored 52 runs with captain Mominul Haque. However, the left-arm star opener returned to the pavilion in the shaky nineties. Thirimanne was caught by Jayabikram for 92 off 150 balls with 12 fours.
After that Muminul and Mushfiqur Rahim also went back in small pairs. Muminul made 49 off 104 balls with seven fours and left the field with Mendis. Mushfiqur made 40 off 72 balls. Liton Das (6) was the fourth victim of Jayabikram.
Earlier, Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 493 for six. Niroshan Dickwella remained unbeaten on 7 runs. Among the Bangladeshi bowlers, Taskin Ahmed was the most successful with 4 wickets.