Mathews hopeful despite heartbreak

After a monumental innings, any batter would like to be on the right side of the history. However, that was not the case for Angelo Mathews as the Sri Lankan all-rounder finds himself on the unwanted side of it following the second day's play of the first Test in Chattogram yesterday.

Mathews joined a select few of the unlucky ones as he is only the 12th batter ever to be dismissed a run short of a double century in Tests. The Sri Lankan is unique in a sense that he was the first batter ever to be dismissed on 199 in Bangladesh.

Despite the heartbreak, the cricketer was willing to move on and hoped that his knock would eventually help the Lankans seal a victory in the Test.

"Obviously it would have been nice to get that one run but you have to take what God gives you. I am thankful that I was able to play a good knock. Hopefully it will help us win the game," said Mathews during the press conference following the day's play.

Having batted over nine and half hour and negotiating 396 deliveries, Mathews went for a slog sweep to bring up what would have been his second double ton. Unfortunately, a faulty connection saw him giving an easy catch to square leg.

"I just premeditated the shot. I didn't connect it. It was one of those unfortunate incidents."

Mathews is not the only player to have been dismissed on 199 against Bangladesh. Dean Elgar of South Africa was also dismissed on the same number during a Test in Potchefstroom in 2017.