Tigers trail hosts by 124 runs after Day-2

Bangladesh trailed Sri Lanka by 124 runs with five wickets remaining in their first innings when the umpire called stumps on day-2 of the second Test of the series at Colombo’s P Sara Oval today.

Shakib Al Hasan was batting on 18 from 8 balls and Mushfiqur Rahim not out on 2 when the players left the field for the day. Shakib was fortunate to survive at least two chances during his brief stay at the wicket and looked to assert himself on the bowlers at all costs.

Lakshan Sandakan was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka. He took 3-65 in 14 to rock Bangladesh’s top-order today.

Bangladesh’s last session of day-2 got from bad to worse as Sabbir Rahman was sent back by Suranga Lakmal in the 58th over. Dug in short from wide of the crease, this one got big on the batter and struck him on the glove.

Dhananjaya dived to take a low catch at leg gully…Sabbir fell hook line and sinker to the short-ball trap…has the tide turned for the hosts?

Last bat Sabbir Rahman c de Silva b Lakmal 42 (54b 5x4 0x6) SR: 77.77

Fall of wicket 198/5 (57.4 ov); Partnership: 6 runs, 0.5 overs, RR: 7.20 (Shakib Al Hasan 4, Sabbir Rahman 0)

Lakshan Sandakan gave Sri Lanka a boost at the end of last session of day-2 when he took the wickets of Imrul Kayes and Taijul Islam to leave Bangladesh in a spot of bother at 192 for 4 in 56.5 overs.

Taijul lasted a single ball as he was lbw to Sandakan. The nightwatchman experiment failed. In the review, ball tracking clearly showed it would have hit middle and leg. Bangladesh are falling apart after putting up an admirable fight for most of the day.

Taijul Islam lbw b Sandakan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Fall of wicket 192/4 (56.5 ov); Partnership: 0 runs, 0.1 overs, RR: 0.00 (Sabbir Rahman 0, Taijul Islam 0)

Bangladesh lost their third wicket in the 57th over when Imrul Kayes was trapped in front by Sandakan. The wrong'un fizzed off the deck on middle, kept a touch low as well and trapped the batter plumb in front of off stump.

Imrul Kayes lbw b Sandakan 34 (78b 4x4 0x6) SR: 43.58

Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a body blow during the last session of day-2 when Soumya Sarkar threw his wicket away after scoring 61 to leave his team at 130 for 2 in 41.3 overs.

Soumya who looked good for a big knock wanted to get on top of the left-arm chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan and played one big shot too many.

The batsman was deceived by the wrong'un and by the flight of the ball. Soumya was induced into the drive but didn’t account for the turn. The ball missed the inside edge, sneaked through the big gap between bat and pad and cannoned into the stumps.

Last bat Soumya Sarkar b Sandakan 61 (121b 6x4 0x6) SR: 50.41

Fall of wicket 130/2 (41.3 ov); Partnership: 35 runs, 13.5 overs, RR: 2.53 (Imrul Kayes 14, Soumya Sarkar 21)

Bangladesh reached 95 for 1 after 28 overs when the players left the field for tea on day-2.

Soumya Sarkar was batting on 40 from 75 balls and Imrul Kayes on 0 at tea. Earlier, Bangladesh lost their first wicket after a solid start when Sri Lanka stand-in captain Rangana Herath sent back Tamim Iqbal for 49 to leave the tourists at 95 for 1 after 27.4 overs during the post-lunch session.

Sri Lanka went for the review, and Tamim had to go. After the ball struck the pads, it looked close and Sri Lanka opted to go upstairs after the on-field umpire ruled in the batsman’s favour.

During the replays, it was conclusive that the ball had pitched in line, the impact was in line and the ball was hitting the wicket…no bat involved, so the decision was reversed and Sri Lanka had their first breakthrough during Bangladesh’s first innings.

Last bat Tamim Iqbal lbw b Herath 49 (91b 6x4 0x6) SR: 53.84

Fall of wicket 95/1 (27.4 ov); Partnership: 95 runs, 27.4 overs, RR: 3.43 (Tamim Iqbal 49, Soumya Sarkar 40)

Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar settled down at the crease after an anxious start during the post-lunch session of day-2.

Although both batters endured some good spells early on, they took Bangladesh to 38 after 12 overs. When the Sri Lankan bowlers erred in line or length, they were quick to take advantage and kept the scoreboard moving.

Sri Lanka were finally dismissed at the end of the morning session of day-2 when Subashis Roy removed Suranga Lakmal with the hosts reaching 338 after 113.3 overs.

Lunch was taken after the conclusion of Sri Lanka’s first innings. Dinesh Chandimal held the innings together with his 138. The 8th and 9th wicket stands of 55 followed by the 33-run partnership for the last wicket enabled the hosts to reach a fighting total in the end.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz was the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh with his 3-90 in 21 overs. Mustafizur Rahman, Subashis Roy and Shakib Al Hasan captured two wickets each.

The last wicket of Sri Lanka’s first innings was taken by Subashis Roy when Lakmal went for the pull too early, and the ball lobbed to third man from the back of the bat and was safely taken by Soumya Sarkar.

Last bat RAS Lakmal c Soumya Sarkar b Subashis Roy 35 (45b 2x4 1x6) SR: 77.77

Fall of wicket 338/10 (113.3 ov); Partnership: 33 runs, 7.3 overs, RR: 4.40 (Lakmal 28, Sandakan 5)

Mehedi was denied a wicket in the 110th over when Mustafizur dropped Sandakan at midwicket. Shakib took a review in the 107th over but it was turned down by the third umpire.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz gave Bangladesh the crucial wicket of Dinesh Chandimal during the morning session of day-2 with the hosts at 305 for 9 in 106 overs.

Mehedi got his third, and this time he sent back Chandimal for 138. The batsman looked to smash the ball over midwicket, but could not clear the fielder at the edge of the ring. The responsible knock from Chandimal came to an end, and he returned to the dressing room to a standing ovation from the home crowd and his teammates.

Last bat LD Chandimal c Mosaddek Hossain b Mehedi Hasan Miraz 138 (300b 10x4 1x6) SR: 46.00

Fall of wicket 305/9 (105.6 ov); Partnership: 55 runs, 14.5 overs, RR: 3.70 (Lakmal 7, Chandimal 48)

The record ninth wicket partnership of 46 runs in 13 overs between Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal continued to frustrate Bangladesh bowlers, and denied them the opportunity to clean up the tail quickly.

Chandimal was given out by the on-field empire S Ravi in the 101st over bowled by Mustafizur Rahman. The ball was slower and fuller outside off, Chandimal was too early into the stroke. When the umpire responded to the spontaneous appeal from behind the wicket, Chandimal immediately signaled for the review.

The review turned out to be successful for Sri Lanka as replayed showed there was no contact with the ball, consequently, the caught behind decision was overturned.

Fortune continues to favour the brave…

Earlier, Dinesh Chandimal brought up his 8th Test ton as Sri Lanka crossed 250 in their first innings during the morning session.

The Sri Lanka batsman reached his milestone in the 95th over bowled by Taijul Islam. The leading edge from Chandimal’s bat rolled into the gap between cover and point and the batsman acknowledged the applause of his teammates as he completed the single. Watchful, yet timely knock…Chandimal held the innings together.

Shakib Al Hasan gave Bangladesh the early breakthrough on day-2 when he dismissed Sri Lanka stand-in captain Rangana Herath for 25 to leave the hosts in a spot of bother at 250 for 8 in 91.1 overs.

The Chandimal-Herath resistance is broken and Shakib strikes! Shakib delivered it full and outside off, the ball slightly drifted away. Herath did not account for that and tried to drive but got a thick edge to slip where Soumya Sarkar completed the catch.

Last bat HMRKB Herath c Soumya Sarkar b Shakib Al Hasan 25 (91b 2x4 0x6) SR: 27.47

Fall of wicket 250/8 (91.1 ov); Partnership: 55 runs, 26.3 overs, RR: 2.07 (Herath 25, Chandimal 24)

Dinesh Chandimal and Rangana Herath batted with grit and determination during the morning session of day-2. The eighth wicket partnership between the batsmen crossed 54 runs in 25.4 overs, and kept the Bangladesh bowlers at bay. Chandimal was batting on 90 from 230 balls and Herath 25 from 90 when Sri Lanka reached 250 for 7 in 91 overs.

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain, Wicketkeeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam and Subashis Roy

Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (Wicketkeeper), Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath (Captain), Suranga Lakmal and Lakshan Sandakan

Umpires - Aleem Dar and S Ravi

TV umpire - M Erasmus

Match referee - AJ Pycroft

Reserve umpire - RSA Palliyaguruge