Sri Lanka and Bangladesh draw weather-affected first Test

PALLEKELE: Bangladesh comfortably bated out the final session of the fith day to draw the weatheraffected first Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

With a lead of 107 runs and two sessions let, Sri Lanka had their hopes high ater claiming two early Bangladesh wickets ater lunch, but an aggressive knock by opener Tamim Iqbal snuffed out their hopes of securing a result. No play was possible ater tea due to rain.

Suranga Lakmal started brightly by dismissing Saif Hassan (1) and Najmul Shanto ( 0) but the atacking Tamim kept his head, regularly finding boundaries during his steady knock.

Tamim followed up his first-innings 90 with a 74 in the second, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers whenever they erred. He confidently drove and pulled the seamers while against spin, he danced down the pitch and loted them without allowing any to setle. He faced just 98 deliveries for his 74 that included ten fours and three sixes, all off Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka had posted a huge 648-8 declared in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh’s 541-7. It was Sri Lanka’s seventh highest total in a test.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne completed a maiden double hundred ater coming into the game under pressure following a string of low scores in the Caribbean.

Karunaratne bated for 11 and half hours for his 244 from 437 deliveries that included 26 fours. Together with Dhananjaya de Silva, he bated through day four and by the time the partnership was broken on the fith morning, the duo had added a massive 345 runs for the fourth wicket.

The match appeared to be heading for a draw until the two quick wickets on the final morning. Dhananjaya dragged one onto his stumps ater making 166 from 291 balls with the help of 22 fours while Karunaratne was caught at mid-wicke. Taskin Ahmed dismissed both baters.

Sri Lanka had gone for quick runs en route to amassing their huge total and their 107-run lead but the wicket had not deteriorated enough for their bowlers to be effective.

Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury and Karunaratne confirmed Sri Lanka have recalled let-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan and seamer Chamika Karunaratne as replacements for the second test that will be also played in Kandy starting on April 29.

Man of the match Karunaratne was pleased with his effort despite the team failing to secure victory.