Chattogram Test ends as an expected draw

There were no last-minute surprises as the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended as an expected draw after Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella held their own in the final session on the final day of the contest at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.

Thanks to Chandimal and Dickwella's stubborn stand, Sri Lanka ended with 260 for six in their second innings as the visitors played out the minimum overs required before both sides agreed on ending the game as a draw about an hour early. 

Chandimal and Dickwella stitched together an unbeaten 99-run stand for the seventh wicket, preventing Sri Lanka from suffering a slump after the visitors were reduced to 161 for six following lunch.

Spinner Taijul Islam was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh on the day. The left-armer, who had effected a run-out to dismiss opener Oshada Fernando before removing nightwatchman Lasith Embuldeniya in the final delivery of the fourth day's play, also remained instrumental for the Tigers on the final day. 

In fact, when Taijul removed Kusal Mendis, after his brisk 43-ball 48, and Angelo Mathews, hero of the first innings for his 199-run knock, in quick succession before lunch, Bangladesh created a chance for a surprising turn of events. A result, in favour of the Tigers, looked to be a bit more likely when Taijul returned Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (52 off 138) and Shakib Al Hasan had scalped the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva soon after lunch. 

However, Dickwella and Chandimal were able to survive that tricky period and only looked solid since the tea break as Sri Lanka eventually ended the game without further damage. 

For Bangladesh, Taijul ended with figures of four for 82 in 32 overs in the second innings.