Bangladesh raised real hope after scoring massive runs in the first innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh were expected to force Sri Lanka to follow on by bowl them out for a minimal total. But all expectations were shattered when Sri Lanka took 107 runs lead in the first innings. On the final day, the Lankans intended to take all of Bangladesh's wickets and clinch the match. But Bangladeshi batters did not allow the opposition bowlers to dominate over them, and the match ended in a draw. The first Test player ratings for both teams are mentioned in this article.

Players’ performance ratingsof both teamsin the first Test

After a run-fest first Test, we compiled ratings for all the participating players, which is mentioned below...

Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Five Times When Bangladesh Stun Sri Lanka

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal (8/10)

Runs: 164 | Ave: 164 | HS: 90 | 100s: 0

In the first Test, the veteran Tamim Iqbal was seen in a different style. His aggressive batting in the first innings inspired the rest of the Bangladeshi batters to play well on the placid wicket.Tamim could have played a long innings if he had not been dismissed for 90 in the first innings. On the other hand, he played an unbeaten 74*-run knock in the second innings. Tamim Iqbal returned to form is one of the key achievements for Bangladesh.

Saif Hassan (1/10)

Runs: 1 | Ave: 0.50 | HS: 1 | 100s: 0

Saif Hasan was replaced by regular Test opener Shadman Islam in the first Test as Bangladesh team management wanted to give the youngster a chance to showcase his talent. But Saif could not capitalize the opportunity. He made a duck in the first innings and scored only one run in the second innings.

Najmul Hossain Shanto (7/10)

Runs: 163 | Ave: 81.50 | HS: 163 | 100s: 1

Prior to this match, Nazmul Hossain was given multiple chances to showcase his talent in the international arena but he failed to seize the opportunity. So there was a rumor that he may be dropped from the national side. Just then, he smacked a career-best 163-run knock in the first innings of the series-opening Test against Sri Lanka. He batted at the crease for a long time and faced 378 balls to cultivate his innings. However, in the second innings, he was bowled by Lakmal and returned to the pavilion without scoring a run.

Mominul Haque(8/10)

Runs: 150 | Ave: 150.00 | HS: 127 | 100s: 1

As captain, Mominul Haque had little to do in this Test because the pitch was completely batting friendly. However, Mominul did well as a batsman. In the first innings, he played an important 127-run knock, which was Mominul's first century on foreign soil. He remained unbeaten on 23* in the second innings.

Mushfiqur Rahim (8/10)

Runs: 68 | Ave: - | HS: 68* | 100s: 0 

Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten in the first innings with a tenacious 68*-run knock and played an important role in helping Bangladesh to score big. However, Mushfiqur did not have to bat in the second innings.

Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka series 2021: Test Rankings Prediction

Liton Das (7/10)

Runs: 50 | Ave: 50 | HS: 50 | 100s: 0 

Liton Das kept the scoreboard moving by scoring quick 50 runs in the first innings. But in the end, he was out after completing his half-century. Bangladesh lost two wickets in the second innings that's why Liton did not get a chance to bat again in this match.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5/10)

Wickets: 1 | Econ: 2.77 | BBI: 1/161 | 5W: 0 

Mehidy Hasan Miraj was the most economical among the Bangladeshi bowlers. He bowled 58 overs and took 1 wicket for 161 runs. Mehidy's economic rate was 2.77.

Taijul Islam (5/10)

Wickets: 2 | Econ: 3.62 | BBI: 2/163 | 5W: 0 

Along with Mehidy, another spinner Taijul Islam bowled for a long time and picked 2 wickets in 45 overs at a 3.62 economy rate. Taijul could not produce any magic spell as the pitch was heavily batting-friendly.

Taskin Ahmed (6/10)

Wickets: 3 | Econ: 3.73 | BBI: 3/112 | 5W: 0 

After a long absence, fast bowler Taskin Ahmed joined the Bangladesh Test team and showed good bowling performance in the first Test. He was adamant to do something different despite Pallekele's pitch was offering much to the batters. Taskin picked the most 3 wickets for the team.

Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi (2/10)

Wickets: 0 | Econ: 4.00 | BBI: 0/76 | 5W: 0 

Abu Zayed Rahi, a regular member of the Bangladesh Test XI in recent times, struggled to bowl well in this match. He bowled 19 overs and gave away 76 runs with an economy rate of 4.

Ebadat Hossain (2/10)

Wickets: 1 | Econ: 4.71 | BBI: 1/99 | 5W: 0 

Despite taking a wicket, Ebadat Hossain was Bangladesh's most expensive bowler. In 21 overs, he gave away 99 runs at a 4.71 economy rate.

Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Top five memorable performances in Test Cricket 

Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne (10/10)

Runs: 244 | Ave: 244.00 | HS: 244 | 100s: 1

Player of the match-winner, Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne got a life early in the innings. After that, he did not have to look back. Karunaratne played the highest 244 runs knock for the Lankans and guided his side to set up a huge total on the board in the first innings.

Lahiru Thirimanne (5/10)

Runs: 58 | Ave: 58.00 | HS: 58 | 100s: 0

Despite batting on comfortable wickets, Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Thirimanne was unable to produce a meaningful impact. He was dismissed for only 56 runs. As a result, he was not given too many rating points.

Oshada Fernando (2/10)

Runs: 20 | Ave: 20.00 | HS: 20 | 100s: 0

Oshada Fernando completely failed with the bat in this match. He was dismissed for just 20 runs and returned back to the pavilion. As a result, he received the lowest rating among Sri Lankan batsmen.

Angelo Mathews(3/10)

Runs: 25 | Ave: 25.00 | HS: 25 | Wickets: 0

Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews returned to the Sri Lankan Test XI after a long absence. However, he didn't do well in this match. He made 25 runs with the bat and gave away 14 runs at a 2 economy rate in 7 overs and remained wicketless.

Dhananjaya de Silva (9/10)

Runs: 166 | Ave: 166.00 | HS: 166 | 100s: 1 | Wickets: 1 | Econ: 4.29 | BBI: 1/130 | 5W: 0 

Dhananjaya de Silva was Sri Lanka's second most effective batsman in the match. He built a strong partnership with Karunaratne and was instrumental in helping the hosts reach 600 runs in the first innings. Dhananjaya's bat contributed 166 runs. With the ball, he also took one wicket in the first innings.

Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Recap of the Key Test Records

Pathum Nissanka (2/10)

Runs: 12 | Ave: 12.00 | HS: 12 | 100s: 0

Middle-order batsman Pathum Nissanka had a difficult time in the middle. He was dismissed for just 12 runs. As a result, he received low rating points like Fernando.

Niroshan Dickwella (4/10)

Runs: 31 | Ave: 31.00 | HS: 31 | 100s: 0

Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella batted in the lower middle order and attempted to collect some quick runs in the middle. He scored 31 runs from 33 balls.

PWH de Silva (4/10)

Runs: 43 | Ave: 43.00 | HS: 43 | 100s: 0 | Wickets: 0 | Econ: 2.80 | BBI: 0/15 | 5W: 0 

Leg-spinner Hasaranga de Silva failed to make an impact with the ball but played a very effective knock with the bat. Came into bat at the lower order Hasaranga scored 43 runs in the first innings.

Suranga Lakmal (7/10)

Wickets: 3 | Econ: 2.31 | BBI: 2/21 | 5W: 0 

Experienced pacer Suranga Lakmal was the only bowler to take wickets in both innings. Besides, this right-handed fast bowler was quite economical with the ball. Lakmal also played an important 22-run knock with the bat.

Vishwa Fernando (6/10)

Wickets: 4 | Econ: 2.85 | BBI: 4/96 | 5W: 0 

Left-arm fast bowler Vishwa Fernando was the only bowler to take four wickets in an innings in the match. He took four wickets in Bangladesh's first innings. In this regard, Fernando was the most successful bowler in this match.

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Bottom Line

According to the first Test player ratings, Kandy's pallekele ground was heavily favored by batsmen. Therefore, the batsmen have earned better ratings. While the bowlers were helpless on such a wicket. Based on the ratings, it would not be fair to say that the bowlers performed poorly in the match. The second Test will begin on April 29, at the same venue and the curator may aim to produce a pace-friendly wicket for the second match.