Winning the toss and putting Bangladesh into bat, it is left to be seen if the Sri Lankan camp’s calculated decision would pay off at the 2nd test that commenced today at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
Pic By – Cricinfo
Initially it looked like new skipper Angelo Mathews plans backfired when his opening bowlers proved ineffective despite Nuwan Kulasekara trapped Tamim Iqbal lbw for 10 with the visitors score at 16. However Sri Lanka came back into the game allowing Bangladesh just 240 in their first innings.
Bangladesh held strong in the first session while the home bowlers toiled in vain. In a surprising move probably to frustrate the free flowing Galle centurion Mohamed Ashraful in to doing something rash Mathews bowled himself instead of the more potent and faster Shaminda Eranga. It had its desired effect with Ashraful being run out ironically by Eranga for 16, ending a 35 -run partnership that looked to threaten.
Jahurul Islam was caught behind by Dinesh Chandimal off an Eranga delivery to end his vigil at 33. By this time Sri Lanka’s ace spinner Rangana Herath joined the whipping and commenced the heads-down trot to the pavilion for the visiting batsmen.
Despite wickets falling at the other end Momunul Haq played a solid hand for 64 before falling victim to Herath caught by Chandimal behind the sticks. Sri Lanka were 155/5 at tea.
A later order fight was launched by the Bangladeshi’s which dented Sri Lanka’s cause. Nasir Hosain (48) and Sohag Gazi (32) came together in an aggressive partnership which was once again ended by Herath when he drew Gazi forward leaving plenty of time for Chandimal to remove the bails.
Kulasekara was brought back into the attack and he erased the tail to have the visitors folding at 240. Herath’s 5/68 and Kulasekara 3/54 stood out.
Sri Lanka had 4 overs to negotiate which they did not do well with T M Dilshan (0) slashing Robiul Islam to get an under-edge to the wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim. Kumar Sangakkara strode in to do the job himself without sending in a night watchman and together with Dimuth Karunaratne who negotiated a few
anxious moments, cleverly anchored for the day to battle tomorrow. Sri Lanka were 18/1 at the close
