SLC receives TV bids
Which was claimed to be seamer friendly wicket, Sri Lanka fielded three pacemen but it was left arm orthodox spinner, Rangana Herath who subdued the Bangladeshi batsmen. Heart retuned with five for 68 to restrict them 240, just before close, on the first day's play of the second cricket test that began at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, yesterday.
In reply, Sri Lanka was 18 for one wicket at close. One of the first Test centurions -- Tillakaratne Dilshan went for a dreadful square cut only to edge into the gloves of the Bangladesh wicket keeper, Mushfiqur Raheem, for no score.
Herath, who even impressed on that heart breaking strip at Galle, kept a tidy length especially in the post lunch session and that prompted his skipper Mathews to request him to share the second new ball with Nuwan Kulasekara, after the 80th over. The right arm-left arm combination polished Bangladesh tail in 21 balls and Herath took his test wicket tally to 193. This is the 14th time that Herath claimed five or more wickets in a test innings.
In stark contrast to usual Sri Lankan style of playing test cricket, hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green top track which looked menacing. However, the hosting skipper showed lack of confidence in his pacemen.
Mathews introduced himself into to the attack after two Suranga Lakmal overs which cost only one run and he too bowled only three overs before introducing Shaminda Eranga into the attack. None of them could make use of the seaming conditions in the first two hours.
Despite a needless run out of Mohammed Ashraful, who was untroubled during his 75 minutes stay at the crease, the visitors had lunch with 62 runs on the board, having lost only two wickets.
Twenty-one-year-old Left hander, Mominul Haque who is playing only his second test match scored a stylish 64, to keep Sri Lankan bowlers working hard for their wickets. His 98 ball innings was terminated by Rangana Herath with a superb delivery that went away from the batsman.
Bangladesh innings was built around Mominul Haque and Nasir Hossain who made a useful 48 before being trapped LBW by Herath for 48.
Sri Lanka's winning streak against Bangladesh was halted last week in Galle but the hosts need to win this match if they want to keep the winning record intact as far as a series is concerned.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced the receipt of offers for sale of International Broadcast, Internet, Mobile, Radio, and Sponsorship Rights from the following parties.
According to the SLC communiqué the following have submitted their offers. -- 1) Taj Television Limited, 2) Nimbus Communications Ltd, 3) NEO Prime Sports and 4) Total Sports Asia
Further, Sri Lanka Cricket also received offers from the following parties in relation to the TV production for International Cricket matches hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket. They are -1) Kingsdown TV, 2) STV Productions 3) Nimbus Communications and 4) Sportsorkz Fine Vision Group
The bid opening for both Tenders took place yesterday at the Taj Samudra Hotel in the presence of SLC Officials, the representatives from the respective bidders, representation from the Ministry of Sports and the Auditor Generals Department.
The bids will be submitted to the Technical Evaluation Committee for evaluation and recommendations . Further information will be released upon completion of the evaluation and ratification process.