HERATH’S DOUBLE BLOW GIVES SRI LANKA EDGE
Spinner Rangana Herath’s double blow, when Bangladesh were going smooth in their second innings, gave Sri Lanka the edge when play ended on day three in the second Test match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
The first of his dismissals, that of Jahurul Islam who was playing safe and taking the side out of the woods and making steady progress, saw them slid from 143 for 2 to 158 for 4 when stumps were drawn for the day.
The second wicket that of Mahmudullah was crucial for both the sides with Bangladesh, when they were on top, being forced to go on the defensive while on the other hand the game slowly drifted towards Sri Lanka way.
It was Jahurul’s rush of blood when he was deceived by a sharp delivery from Herath and missed only to have the stumps rattled by keeper Dinesh Chandimal and in the process missed out in making his maiden half ton which he fell short by two runs.
Earlier in the innings Jahurul along with his partner Tamim Iqbal put up stiff resistance when Bangladesh were in pursuit of erasing a deficit of 106 runs. Tamim in particular was aggressive and it seemed the pair looked on course but it was not to be as Shaminda Eranga separated the duo with Bangladesh on 91. The 91-run opening partnership was the best ever against Sri Lanka.
Mohammad Ashraful who had a successful first Test stint at Galle did not last as he became Herath’s first of three victims being able to make a contribution of only four runs as Bangladesh lost their second wicket with the addition of five runs. Mominul Haque playing in only his second test match having made his debut at Galle joined Jahurul and the duo seemed to be settling down. When the pair had added 47 runs the double blow dealt by Herath’s saw them falling back.
Earlier in the day Sri Lanka resuming on their overnight score of 294 for 6 lasted only 11.3 overs in the morning session. Overnight batsman Sangakkara who was on 127 was able to only a further 12 runs.
Sangakkara was sent back in the tenth over having put on 36 runs for the seventh wicket with Nuwan Kulasekera and took the third umpire over five minutes to confirm his dismissal off a catch by the wicketkeeper.
Rangana Herath followed next to the pavilion before Kulasekera was caught by Rahim which was his fifth of the innings and a Bangladesh record with Sri Lanka’s innings coming to an end with Suranga Lakmal’s wicket.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque who were lucky to have been let off the hook yesterday are now left with the daunting task of making a rescue act for Bangladesh with two days of play left.