Lanka set Bangladesh a target of 457 runs

Opener Soumya Sarkar scored his second half-century of the match as Bangladesh kept their faint hopes of saving the first Test against Sri Lanka alive in Galle on Friday.

Set a daunting target of 457 runs, Bangladesh reached 67-0 before bad light brought early stumps on the fourth day with the visiting side still needing 393 runs for an improbable win on the final day.

Soumya, who made 71 runs in the first innings, led the batting charge with an unbeaten 53 while his opening partner Tamim Iqbal took the unusual role of an anchor, scoring 13 not out.

The fourth day’s play ended 14 overs early as thick clouds hovered over the ground, much to the frustration of the hosts who were desperate to hammer home their advantage by clinching a wicket in the final session.

Umpires called off play after Asela Gunaratne conceded three runs off his first ball that was declared a rare back-foot no ball, leaving him with the highly unusual figure of 0-0-3-0.

Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 274-6, just five overs into the session, after local boy Upul Tharanga slammed his third Test century and second against Bangladesh.

Kolkata Knight Riders, the former champions of the Indian Premier League, on Thursday clarified that there was no truth in reports suggesting that the franchise would play a three-match series with Pakistan Super League champions Peshawar Zalmi.

The IPL giants took to Twitter to clarify their stand, stating: “KKR won’t be playing any unauthorized games/leagues as some false reports are claiming. No such communication happened from our end.”

The speculations started after Peshwar Zalmi CEO Javed Afridi claimed Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the owner of the IPL franchise, called him up to propose a three-match series between the two champions.

The DDCA administrator Justice (Retd) Vikramjeet Sen met senior player Gautam Gambhir, chief coach KP Bhaskar and manager Shankar Saini to hear out their respective version on the altercation that took place during Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Saini has submitted his manager’s report to the administrator with detailed mention of the incident. After Delhi finished their disastrous campaign, there was a dressing room altercation between Bhaskar and Gambhir.

It was learnt that Justice Sen may form an enquiry committee but on his part he declined to comment anything at the moment.