Chandimal withdraws from Chattogram Test due to family emergency

Sri Lanka middle order batter Dinesh Chandimal has withdrawn from the ongoing Chattogram Test against Bangladesh with immediate effect due to a ‘family medical emergency’.

The Sri Lanka Cricket board said in a statement on social media about Dinesh Chandimal’s withdrawal before the start of Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh.

“Dinesh Chandimal has withdrawn from the team playing the 2nd Test match against Bangladesh with immediate effect due to a ‘family medical emergency’.

“Accordingly, the player will return home immediately,” the statement said.

“Sri Lanka Cricket, his teammates, and the coaching staff fully support Dinesh Chandimal at this moment of need and request that the public respect his and his family’s privacy.”

Chandimal made 59 in the first innings, contributing to his team’s strong total of 531. He was one of his team’s six batters to have scored a half-century during Sri Lanka’s exceptional team total, a rare record.

Despite a mammoth first innings total, none of their batters made a century, making it the highest-ever total in a Test innings without a hundred.

Despite his absence, Sri Lanka stayed on course of a victory to sweep the two-match series after setting an improbable 511-run target for Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka won the first Test by 328 runs. (BSS)