Tigers rattled from the get go

Bangladesh have made a disastrous start against Sri Lanka on day one of the Dhaka Test after the hosts elected to bat first today in the series-deciding fixture.   

Shakib Al Hasan was the latest to depart for a duck following the dismissal of the two out-of-form batters Najmul Hossain Shanto and skipper Mominul Haque. Before that, the openers Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who combined to a 162-run stand in the first Test in Chattogram, departed in no time, also gone for ducks.

Bangladesh are 24 for five after seven overs as the Lankans are making the most of the new ball.   

The second over from Asitha Fernando had Tamim drive on the up and the centurion of the first Test ended up giving a leading edge to gully where Praveen Jayawickerama, the only change Sri Lanka made in their playing eleven, took a brilliant catch, diving to his right.

Tamim gets out for naught. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

The previous over, first of the innings, saw Joy bring his downfall with no feet-movement as Kasun Rajitha, who picked a four-fer in Chattgoram, clean bowled the youngster with an in-swinger, pitched on a good length. 

Following the removal of openers, Mominul (9) was scalped by Fernando as the lefty was caught in two minds and ultimately nicked to wicket-kepper Dickwella, who took a regulation catch. With Tigers wobbling and caution being the order of the session, Shanto, at number three, soon attempted a flashy cover drive, but only to miss Rajitha's line of delivery completely and get bowled out after scoring eight runs.  

Mominul Haque checks his bat as he walks back to pavilion. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Rajitha has picked three so far while Fernando scalped a couple.