(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Bangladesh were 133 for the loss of 2 wickets at stumps on day 2 of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, chasing a mammoth 494 run target set by the home side.
Bangladesh, who began their first innings shortly before tea, reached 31 at tea without loss in reply to Sri Lanka’s hefty first innings total. Bangladesh’s opening batsman Tamim Iqbal was dismissed following his 100 run partnership with Soumya Sarkar where he was run out for 57 by Lakshan Sandakan.
Iqbal’s dismissal was followed by the wicket of Mominul Haque for 7 runs. Tomorrows play resumes with Soumya Sarkar on 66 and Mushfiqur Rahim on 1 run.
To recap, the home side with a fine display by Kusal Mendis managed to reach 443 for 6 in 114 overs at lunch this afternoon. Kusal Mendis was dismissed 6 runs short of his maiden Test century brilliantly caught in the deep by Tamim Iqbal.
The lower order however quickly began to crumble as he was followed by Niroshan Dickwella dismissed for 75, then replaced by Skipper Rangana Herath who was also dismissed without achieving much for 14, again followed close behind by Suranga Lakmal for only 8. Dilruwan Perera fell lbw to Mehedi Hasan achieving a respectable 51.
Lakshan Sandakan was dismissed for 5 and Lahiru Kumara for a duck.
Speaking post match Kusal Mendis said “Happy with my performance. I wanted to hit a six and be positive. It’s a batting pitch. It keeps low and I just wanted to play straight or use the sweep. I felt really bad when I edged first ball, but Dimuth told me it was a no-ball and that was nice.” The 3rd day of the 1st test will commence at 9:30 am today.
