Sri Lanka in control despite Bangladesh’s fight back

Sri Lanka kept them aloft over Bangladesh on Day 2 of the second and final cricket Test after playing a sensible cricket at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.

With six batters getting past half-century marks, Sri Lanka posted a massive 531 in its first innings before being all out.

Bangladesh reached 55-1 in 15 overs at stumps, still trailing by 476 runs.

None of the batters were able to reach the three-figure mark but Sri Lanka ensured it won’t loss wickets in succession, something what could have given Bangladesh an edge.

Kamindu Mendis who scored twin centuries in the first Test, which Sri Lanka won by a crushing 328 runs, was stranded on 92 as the 10th wicket fell to a run-out dismissal.

Kusal Mendis was the top-scorer with 93 while opener Dimuth Karunaratne made 86. Also fresh from his centuries in both innings of the first Test, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva added 70.

Dinesh Chandimal contributed 59 and another opener Nishan Madushka chipped-in-with 57.

Bangladesh put down some chances on Day 2 too but they bowled in much better line today to give Sri Lanka some torrid time.

For Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan, playing his first Test after a gap of one year, claimed 3-110 and gave the control what the side needed when Sri Lanka batter were at their attacking best.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud on his debut innings took 2-92 but he couldn’t take any wicket on Day 2 while Syed Khaled Ahmed, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed one wicket apiece.

Resuming the Day 2 at 314-4, Sri Lanka began with aggressive fashion with de Silva and Chandimal finding the gap to hit boundaries at regular intervals.

Chandimal who scored 9 and 0 in the first Test, found some form to keep Bangladesh at bay.

He raised his 26th Test fifty off 85 balls, hitting pacer Hasan Mahmud for a boundary through mid-off.

Just after the fifty, he was undone by left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan to be dismissed for 59 off 104, ending 86-run partnership with de Silva.

De Silva also struck a boundary off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam to bring up his 14th fifty off 70 balls and appeared to be firm to head toward his third straight century.

But that was not to be as pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed tapped him leg-before with a delivery that kept surprisingly low. De Silav smote six fours and two sixes for his 111 ball-70.

Kamindu Mendis hit three consecutive boundaries after his arrival into the crease to get off the things smoothly but with Bangladesh bowlers, specially Shakib Al Hasan maintaining tight line and length, he and Prabath Jayasuriya had to go on backfoot.

Kamindu raised his fourth straight fifty in the first four innings of his career off 99 balls, pushing off spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for single through cover region.

Shakib ended the 65-run partnership, when he got rid of Jayasuriya for 28.

With third straight century in his eyesight but running out his partners, Kamindu paced the innings impeccably.

He struck Taijul two sixes in an over to reach 90 and looked set to achieve his goal. However, Asitha Fernando was trapped run out, leaving him stranded on 92. Kamindu smashed seven fours and two sixes for his 167 ball-92 not out.

Bangladesh openers-Mahmudul Hasan and Zakir Hasan-then had to deal with a probing spell of fast bowler Lahiru Kumara who moved the new ball admirably.

Kumara (1-4) got the reward when he bowled Mahmudul out for 21, ending his 47-run partnership with Zakir.

Zakir struck five fours to remain not out on 28 with night watch man Taijul Islam yet to score. (BSS)