Tigers’ day to remember after nightmarish start

Bangladesh would be more than happy to be at 277 for five against Sri Lanka after day one of the Dhaka Test, given what happened in the first seven overs.

Electing to bat first in the series-deciding fixture, the Lankans came out all guns blazing in the first third of the morning session as the Tigers top-order got annihilated with a fine spell of new-ball bowling by Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando. The Tigers lost five wickets for 24 runs, including the prized wickets of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan.

However, the hosts found their way on to a safe house while riding on a 253-run partnership off 469 balls between Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das. Like day and night, the scenario transformed completely by the end 85 overs were bowled in the day and third session ended. Bangladesh attracted a few unwanted records for their batting collapse in the morning, but at the end of the day, the outstanding Liton-Mushy stand broke a 63-year record, achieved the fifth-highest partnership for any wicket in Bangladesh's history while further breaking the highest partnership for the sixth-wicket. 

A job well done for Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das on day one of the Dhaka Test. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Both the batters reached three figures, with Liton getting to the landmark first. Liton's third century in Test career was followed by Mushfiqur's ninth. The two batter has scored a double-century stand before: a 206 against Pakistan in November last year in Chattogram. While Mushfiqur features in the four of the Tigers' top five partnerships for any wicket, including a 359-run stand with Shakib, this is Liton's first entry in the top 10.  

A relaxed looking Bangladesh skipper and coaching staff at the dugout near the end of day one of the Dhaka Test. Photo: Firoz Ahmed