First time in seven years but nothing new for the Tigers

Bangladesh top-order crumbled to Sri Lanka pace attack within the first hour of the second Test at Dhaka today. Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando ran through the top-order as Bangladesh slumped to 24 for five in just the seventh over, making a few records on the way.

However, Bangladesh recovered from the early slump with Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das remaining unbeaten during their sixth-wicket stand as the Tigers head to Lunch at 66 for five. The visitors would be delighted with their performance, however, Kusal Mendis suffered a chest pain and had to be taken to the nearby hospital for a precautionary check-up.    

Mendis, in discomfort, walks off the field. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Having previously been bundled out for 80 and 53 -- both instances came in the second innings -- during the recent tour of South Africa, Bangladesh batters once again faced the music, this time against pace and in the first innings. While dying light saw Bangladesh lose wickets in a hurry at South Africa, this time it was under the bright sun that they suffered badly. This is the first time in nearly seven years that a team has lost first five wickets inside seven overs.

Last time it happened was Australia (batting) against England in Nottingham in 2015 during the famous Test where Australia were bowled out for 60 and Stuart Broad took 8 wickets in an innings. This was however the second instance that Bangladesh have lost their first five wickets inside seven overs, when they slumped to 14 for five at Harare in 2004 against Zimbabwe.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudul Hasan Joy also created a bit of history as they became the third duo from Bangladesh to fall for ducks in a Test. The previous two instances came against India in 2010 and Zimbabwe in 2014. Tamim Iqbal is the common denominator in all three instances. Against India, Tamim's partner was Imrul Kayes and Shamsur Rahman was the opening partner in 2014.

Today, Joy departed for a duck in just the second delivery of the day, late to get down to a Kasun Rajitha in-dipper. Tamim was squared up by Asitha next over as he tried to flick one away but managed to edge it to fielder at point for a four-ball duck. Bangladesh then lost skipper Mominul Haque, who too was late to a Asitha delivery and managed to nick it through to the wicketkeeper. Najmul Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan fell on back-to-back deliveries of Rajitha next over with the former missing the delivery bowled from wide of the crease and seeing his off stump disturbed while Shakib perished trying to play across the line, out leg-before.