Bangladesh bowled out for 178 in its 1st innings

A yet another abysmal batting show put Bangladesh

in huge trouble as they were bowled out for 178 runs in their first innings
of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka, conceding 353 runs at Zahur
Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.

Sri Lankan which posted 531 runs before being all out, could enforce a
follow-on but they chose to bat again.

Fast bowler Asitha Fernando wrecked havoc on Bangladesh, registering his
career-best 4-34 as Bangladesh’s innings were wrapped up in an extended tea
session on Day 2.

Another fast bowler Vishwa Fernando claimed 2-38, including the wicket of
Zakir Hasan who top-scored for the side with 54 after Bangladesh resumed at
55-1.

Fernando caused the initial damage when Bangladesh were on song, courtesy to
Zakir’s free flowing batting. Mominul Haque was the other one to offer some
resistance with 33.

But most of the Bangladesh batters, including Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto
played loose shots to hasten their downfall as Bangladesh failed to get past
200 runs in third consecutive time against Sri Lanka.

Zakir began the day by hitting Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva a
boundary through short third man and then took on pacer Lahiru Kumara to keep
the scoreboard going.

He raised his fourth 50 off 97 balls, steering Fernando past gully for a
boundary.

Shortly after his fifty, Fernando jagged one in late to rattle his stump to
give Sri Lanka the first breakthrough of the day.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossan Shanto (1) was dismissed for single digit
for the third straight time and left the team in trouble further by clipping
one straight to short mid-wicket when left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya (2-
65) turned one sharply.

On the stroke of the lunch, Vishwa Fernando struck again to worsen Bangladesh
further by dismissing nightwatchman Taijul Islam for 22.

Taijul’s dismissal brought Mominul Haque and Shakib Al Hasan, the two most
experienced batters of the side into the crease and onus was on them to steer
the side through the torrid time.

They began watchfully against a resurgent Lankan bowling attack, which hardly
bowled any loose deliveries.

However, fast bowler Asitha Fernando who ripped through Bangladesh middle
order, kicked off the things striking twice in an over.

Playing his first Test in a year, Shakib was trapped leg-before by a sharp in
swinger of Asitha Fernando after making just 15.

Liton arrived in the crease and hit Asitha a boundary in the second ball he
faced but the bowler extended his lean patch with a short of length delivery
that took the outside edge of the batter.

Amid the wickets tumbling, Mominul held his nerve to patiently deal with the
Lankan bowlers. Alongside him, young Shahadat Hossain Dipu was looked compact
until fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, who claimed 2-19, undid him with a short of
length delivery.

Dipu could make only 8 off 36 deliveries.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz started the things as if Bangladesh came to chase in any T
20 game. From the first ball, he tried to be at his attacking best but hardly
could display any skill to put the bowlers in sword.

However, he played one shot too may and paid the price when Jayasuriya had
him leg-before for 7.

Asitha then trapped Mominul leg-before with a yorker before rattling the
stump of Khaled to give Sri Lanka a massive lead. (BSS)