Sri Lanka Emerging team (SL-E) were in a deep trouble on 101/4, chasing Bangladesh Emerging team’s (Ban-E) 1st innings total of 360 at stumps on day 2 of the first unofficial Test match in the 2-match ‘4-day’ series vs Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna.
After a hard-toiled day 01 with only 4 wickets to show, giving 233 runs, SL-E earned early success on day 02, dismissing Ban-E skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto who scored a brilliant century. Shanto’s marathon innings of 269 balls was ended by Kalana Perera who trapped him in front of the wicket on 133.
But after getting past the home skipper’s defiance, SL-E couldn’t capitalize with quick wickets as the Ban-E lower order, specially Zakir Hasan and Nayeem Hasan, piled on crucial runs to take their total to 360. The two Hasans combined for the 7th wicket for 58 runs partnership with scores of 49 and 36 respectively.
All-rounder Ramesh Mendis made the much-needed breakthroughs SL-E were seeking with 4 scalps to halt the Ban-E innings. Apart from Mendis, Kalana Perera and Asith Fernando shared two wickets each.
In reply, SL-E openers Pathum Nissanka and Sangeeth Cooray couldn’t stay for long at the crease as the pair was dismissed for 16 and 6 respectively by tall off spinner Nayeem Hasan. The new-comers, skipper Charith Asalanka and wicket keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka too couldn’t cope with the off spinner’s exceptional spell as SL-E crumbled to 59-4. The tormenter of SL-E, Nayeem Hasan has already earned his Test cap vs West Indies and has played 2 Test matches so far.
But after the initial burst, Pramod Maduwantha and Ashen Bandara were able to hold the fort for Sri Lanka as the pair put on a partnership of 42 runs to take SL-E past 100 runs. At stumps, the pair were unscathed in their twenties and will look to take SL-E to a respectable total tomorrow without any more collapses.
 were in a deep trouble on 101/4, chasing Bangladesh Emerging team’s (Ban-E) 1st innings total of 360 at stumps on day 2 of the first unofficial Test match in the 2-match ‘4-day’ series vs Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna.){kind=link}