Test cricket
Tigers have mountain to climb to save Kandy Test
Bangladesh lost five wickets for 177 runs at the end of the fourth day in Kandy Sunday while chasing 437 runs in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Ramesh Mendis and 22-year-old Praveen Jayawickrama, bagged three and two wickets to keep Bangladesh at bay. The Tigers will have to score 260 runs on the fifth day of the match to win the game or bat for the entire day to save it at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
All the Bangladeshi batters, who have already been dismissed, made a good start to their innings but failed to carry on against the quality spin of the hosts.
Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 194 for nine securing a lead of 436 runs. Dimuth Karunarate scored 66 for the hosts as Taijul Islam took five wickets for the Tigers.
Also read: Sri Lanka set 437 for Bangladesh to win in Kandy
Bangladesh needed to make a good start to their second innings. But Tamim Iqbal managed to post 24 runs only. Saif Hassan, who has failed to shine in this series so far, scored 34.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim also made a good start, scoring 26, 32, and 40 each, but none of them could fight back the Lankan spinners.
At the end of the day, Bangladesh were batting at 177 for five with Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz unbeaten on 14 and 4.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 493 runs for seven in their first innings, riding on Dimuth Karunarate (118), Lahiru Thirimanne (140), and Oshada Fernando (81). Niroshan Dickwella, the wicketkeeper-batsman, remained not-out for 77.
Read Also: Sri Lanka stretch lead over 400 as Bangladesh in more trouble
Taskin Ahmed was the best bowler for Bangladesh taking four wickets for 127 runs, his best bowling figure in Tests.
In reply to Sri Lanka's first innings, Bangladesh were bundled out for only 251 runs despite a 90 from Tamim Iqbal. Most of the batters had a good start but they failed to come up with the big innings.
Mominul Haque perished on 49 and Mushfiqur Rahim scored 40, although the onus was on them to propel the Tigers to a safe position in this game.
Praveen, who got the chance to play this game due to injuries or off-form other spinners, bagged six wickets conceding 92 runs, the best bowling figure for a Sri Lankan debutant in Tests.
Lankan Lions take charge as Tigers crumble in Kandy
Sri Lanka are leading by 259 runs against Bangladesh with eight wickets in hand at the end of day three of the second Test in Kandy.
Bangladesh were bundled out for 251 runs in their first innings, replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 493/7 declared.
With the lead of 242 runs, Sri Lanka chose to not impose the follow-on. They instead, took the field to bat and at the end of the day's play were 17/2 in seven overs with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking one wicket each.
Also read: Bangladesh staring at defeat as Jayawickrama takes six to trigger Tigers' collapse
Earlier, Praveen Jayawickrama bagged six wickets to wrap up Bangladesh for 251 in their first innings. His six wickets for 92 is now the best bowling figures for a debutant Sri Lankan bowler.
Bangladesh lost the last six wickets for just 37 runs, with most of the batsmen falling prey to Praveen's left-arm spin.
The 22-year-old spinner completed his five-wicket haul scalping the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the 76th over. The right-handed batsman, who had recorded his maiden Test ton in the last series against West Indies at home, tried to clear the ball through the midwicket region but failed to execute it well and the ball hit his pad.
Also read: Sri Lankan debutant has Tigers staring down the barrel
Earlier, Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan made a good start of 98 runs for Bangladesh at the first wicket stand.
Tamim was the highest run-getter with 92 while Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim ended up on 49 and 40.
Along with Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal and Ramesh Mendis also did well, taking two wickets each.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh lose two quick wickets at lunch, Tamim hits 3rd fifty
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers – Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne – hit a century each in the first innings of the match. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat, scoring unbeaten 81 and 77.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged four wickets for 127 runs, the best bowling figure for the right-arm pacer, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
Bangladesh staring at defeat as Jayawickrama takes six to trigger Tigers' collapse
Bangladesh tumbled for 251 in their first innings of the second Test, conceding a huge lead after Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 493/7. With the lead of 242 runs, Sri Lanka opted to not impose a follow-on in Kandy.
Praveen Jayawickrama bagged six wickets, which is the best bowling record for any Sri Lankan on debut and only the fourth time when a Sri Lankan took a five-for on debut.
Bangladesh lost their last six wickets for just 37 runs, with most of the batsmen falling prey to Jayawickrama’s left-arm spin.
Also read: Sri Lankan debutant has Tigers staring down the barrel
Jayawickrama completed his five-wicket haul scalping the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the 76th over. The right-handed batsman, who had recorded his maiden Test ton in the last series against West Indies at home, tried to clear the ball through the midwicket region but failed to execute it well and the ball hit his pad to prompt the umpire to signal him out.
Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan made a good start of 98 runs at the first wicket stand. They also had two fifty-plus partnerships at the third and fourth wicket stand.
Tamim was the highest run-getter with 92 while Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim ended up on 49 and 40 respectively.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh lose two quick wickets at lunch, Tamim hits 3rd fifty
Along with Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal and Ramesh Mendis also did well taking two wickets each.
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers— Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne— hit a century each in the first innings of the match after choosing to bat first winning the toss. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat. They scored 81 and 77 not-out respectively.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged four wickets conceding 127 runs, which is now the best bowling figures for the right-arm pacer while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
Sri Lankan debutant has Tigers staring down the barrel
Bangladesh are struggling to avoid the follow on in Kandy, as Sri Lanka's debutant left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, who earlier claimed Saif Hassan and Tamim Iqbal's wickets, removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 40 before the tea break of day three of the second Test.
Praveen has kept Bangladesh on the back foot as the visitors still need 79 runs to avoid a follow-on with six wickets in hand.
At Tea on day three, Bangladesh were batting at 214 for four in 61.4 overs with captain Mominul Haque unbeaten on 47.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh lose two quick wickets at lunch, Tamim hits 3rd fifty
Tamim and Saif made a decent start adding 98 runs in the first wicket stand after Sri Lanka declared on 493/7. But right before the lunch break, Saif fell prey to Praveen, scoring 25.
In the last over before lunch, offspinner Ramesh Mendis removed Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Tamim, however, was enjoying himself in the middle. He hit his third consecutive fifty in the series off 57 balls and was approaching his first hundred in this series but fell short by eight runs.
Also read: Sri Lanka steady after Taskin's triple-strike
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers – Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne – hit a century each in the first innings of the match. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat, scoring unbeaten 81 and 77.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged 4/127 - his best bowling figures in Test cricket, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
Sri Lanka steady after Taskin's triple-strike
Bangladesh bowlers staged a middle-order collapse for Sri Lanka Friday, yet the unbroken 87-run seventh-wicket stand steadied the hosts before bad weather cut short the second day of the second Test in Pallekele.
Niroshan Dickwella and Ramesh Mendis led the recovery for the hosts who finished at 469/6.
The Lankans had scored 291/1 on day one. But the visitors posed a strong challenge on day two when the wicket offered more balance between bat and ball.
Sri Lanka added 178 to their overnight total and lost five more wickets. At the end of day two, they were batting at 469 for six in 155.5 overs.
Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed has bagged three wickets in this game so far. He would have taken more wickets if the fielders were not so sloppy. Najmul Hossain Shanto missed at least two catches off Taskin.
In the first session of the day, Bangladesh scalped three wickets and two of them fell prey to Taksin while the other one was hunted by Taijul Islam. After the tea break, Taskin scalped another wicket and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one.
Lahiru Thirimanne, who remained unbeaten for 131 on day one, added only nine more runs before being edged to the wicketkeeper by Taskin. However, Oshada Fernando troubled the Tigers much after Thirimanne's removal. He ended up at 80 as the sixth wicket.
The first Test of the two-match series ended in a draw as the wicket was flat and fruitless for the bowlers.
Taskin, Taijul keep Bangladesh fighting
After a bat-dominated first day, Bangladesh Friday staged a comeback in the competition, with bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam picking up three wickets in the first session of the second day of the final Test in Kandy.
While right-arm pacer Taskin struck twice to remove Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews, Taijul bagged the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva.
On Thursday, Bangladesh gave away 291 runs for just one wicket after losing the toss and sent to bowl first at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Also read: Kandy Test Day 1: Karunaratne, Thirimanne's centuries propel Sri Lanka to 291/1
Bangladesh were wicketless in the first hour of day two. But it was a short delivery from Taskin which worked well for him. Thirimanne was uncomfortable and the ball touched his gloves before reaching the keeper safely.
Thirimanne partnered with Dimuth Karunarate in the opening stand to put up 209 runs.
Two balls after scalping Thirimanne, Taskin could have sent Angelo Mathews back to the dressing room if he heard the sound of a clear neck. Wicketkeeper Liton Das also failed to hear the sound and thus they didn’t go for a review. But the TV replays showed a clear neck. Taskin eventually removed Mathews as Liton took an easy catch.
Bangladesh grabbed the third wicket of the session when Taijul removed Dhananjaya for two. Najmul Hossain Shanto took the catch in second chance after the Liton fumble. Before the wicket-taking delivery, Taijul showed some glimpses of turn and bounce on the wicket.
At the lunch break of day two, Sri Lanka were batting at 334 for four. In the first session of day two, the hosts added only 43 runs in 26 overs to their overnight total. Bangladesh conceded less than two runs per over in this session.
Kandy Test Day 1: Karunaratne, Thirimanne's centuries propel Sri Lanka to 291/1
Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne hit centuries on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kandy on Thursday.
Riding on their centuries, Sri Lanka were 291 for one in 90 overs at stumps. Karunaratne was the first and only batsman to get dismissed.
For Bangladesh, debutant Shoriful Islam scalped the only wicket. Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam bowled well but without success.
Also read: Karunaratne brings up a ton after being dropped by Bangladesh
At the end of the day, Thrimanne and Oshada Fernando remained not-out for 131 and 40 respectively.
Earlier, Karunaratne was dropped by Najmul Hossain Shanto at slip when he was on batting at 28.
At Tea, Sri Lanka were 188 for none in 58 overs with Karunaratne and his opening partner Lahiru Thirimanne batting at 108 and 80 respectively.
Also read: Sri Lanka off to cautious start as Bangladesh miss early chances
It was the 12th Test hundred for Karunaratne, the highest by any active Sri Lankan player.
The wicket looked fairly dead in this Test so far. It was flat and bowlers had nothing to get from the track in the first Test as well.
The International Cricket Council has rated the wicket as below average due to its failure to provide a balanced opportunity to the batsmen and bowlers. The ground has been awarded one demerit point as well.
Also read: Sri Lanka bat first, Shoriful makes Test debut
In the first session of the day, Bangladeshi bowlers were more disciplined, but in the second, they seemed to be a bit random and aimless.
The first Test of the series ended in a draw, where Karunaratne had smashed a double-ton. Bangladesh’s Najmul and Mominul Haque had also hit a ton each.
Bangladesh made one change in this game including debutant Shorfiul Islam to replace Ebadot Hossain while Sri Lanka made two changes adding Lakshan Sandakan and Chamika Karunaratne to their squad to replace Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka. Chamika Karunaratne made his debut with this game.
Karunaratne brings up a ton after being dropped by Bangladesh
Sri Lankan Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne brings up his second consecutive Test ton in the second and final Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh in Kandy on Thursday.
He was dropped by Najmul Hossain Shanto at the slip region when he was 28. Karunaratne exploited the chance of hitting a ton.
Also Read: Sri Lanka off to cautious start as Bangladesh miss early chances
At the Tea break of the first day, Sri Lanka were batting at 188 for none in 58 overs with Karunaratne and his opening partner Lahiru Thirimanne were batting at 108 and 80 respectively.
It was the 12th Test hundred for Karunaratne, the highest by any active Sri Lankan player.
The wicket looked fairly dead in this Test as well. In the first Test, the wicket was flat and bowlers had nothing to get from the track.
The International Cricket Council has rated the wicket as below average due to its failure to provide a balanced opportunity to the batsmen and bowlers. The ground has awarded one demerit point as well.
Also Read: Sri Lanka bat first, Shoriful makes Test debut
In the first session of the day, Bangladeshi bowlers were more disciplined, but in the second, they seemed to be a bit random and aimless.
The first Test of the series ended in a draw, where Karunaratne had smashed a double-ton. Bangladesh’s Najmul and Mominul Haque had also hit a ton each.
Bangladesh made one change in this game including debutant Shorfiul Islam to replace Ebadot Hossain while Sri Lanka made two changes adding Lakshan Sandakan and Chamika Karunaratne to their squad to replace Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka. Chamika Karunaratne made his debut with this game.
ICC rates Kandy pitch as 'below average'
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch used in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as "below average."
In a press release sent to the media on Wednesday evening, the ICC said match referee Ranjan Madugalle called the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium pitch in Kandy "substandard."
So, the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Also read: Rain forces early close of high-scoring Kandy Test
"The character of the pitch hardly changed over five days. There was no shift in the balance between bat and ball as the game progressed," Madugalle said.
"The pitch remained batting-friendly throughout, resulting in a total of 1289 runs scored in the match for the loss of 17 wickets at an average of 75.82 runs per wicket, which is very high. So, in keeping with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average," he added.
Madugalle's report has been forwarded to Sri Lanka Cricket.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh declare posting a mammoth score
Both Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque and head coach Russell Domingo have criticised the wicket, too, saying it was not the wicket that they had expected ahead of the game.
Dimuth Karunaratne, the hosts' captain, also said they were expecting a better wicket.
The second and final Test of this two-match series will commence tomorrow at the same venue.
BCB announces unchanged squad for 2nd Sri Lanka Test
For the 2nd and final Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced an unchanged 15-member squad.
The 2nd Test will commence on Thursday at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
The first Test of the series ended in a draw as the wicket was flat and fruitless for the bowlers. Bowlers of both teams together were able to take only 17 wickets in five days.
Also Read: Bangladesh expect a better wicket in 2nd Test
But this time around, the participant teams are expecting a better wicket which would be helpful for all.
Also Read: BD vs SL: Najmul, Mominul fall as Bangladesh pass 400
Meanwhile, Saif Hassan failed to impress with the bat in the first match as he scored only one run in two innings. Despite this failure, the team management relied on him once again and kept him in the squad. However, it’s not clear if he will be included in the playing XI.
Bangladesh squad for 2nd Sri Lanka Test: Mominul Haque (Captain), Litton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Abu Jayed Rahi, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali, Shoriful Islam