De Silva puts Lanka back in contention
TOURISTS RECOVER AFTER BANGLADESH FINISH AT 513
hananjaya de Silva scored 104 not out as Sri Lanka made a strong reply after dismissing Bangladesh for 513, including Mominul Haque’s 176, on the second day of the opening Test yesterday.
De Silva’s fourth century, his second in succession following his 119 (retired hurt) against India, helped Sri Lanka reach a comfortable 187-1 at the close of play.
“It looks like an even contest now,” Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath said. “There will be something in the pitch for the spinners from the third day onwards. I could see some turn even after tea today.”
Bangladesh sensed an opportunity to keep its domination over Sri Lanka when off-spinner Mehidy Hasan (1-45) had opener Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind at first slip before the visitors scored.
But de Silva and opener Kusal Mendis, on 83, ensured Sri Lanka didn’t lose a wicket for the rest of the day.
Mendis survived some close calls toward the end as Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam challenged the umpire’s decision twice in his consecutive
Bangladesh 1st innings (Overnight: 374-4)
T. Iqbal b Perera 52 I. Kayes lbw Sandakan 40 M. Haque c Mendis b Herath 176 M. Rahim c Dickwella b Lakmal 92 L. Das b Lakmal 0 Mahmudullah not out 83 M. Hossain c Sandakan b Herath 8 M. Hassan run out 20 S. Islam st Dickwella b Sandakan 24 T. Islam b Herath 1 M. Rahman c Dickwella b Lakmal 8
(5w, 4nb) 9 (all out in 129.5 overs) 513
1-72, 2-120, 3-356, 4-356,
Extras: Total: Fall of wickets:
two overs. But Mendis remained not out, forcing Bangladesh to lose their two reviews. De Silva was flawless in his 127-ball innings in which he hit 15 boundaries.
Sri Lanka earlier made regular inroads on day two to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings one hour after lunch, leaving captain Mahmudullah stranded on 83.
Mahmudullah held together the innings after Mominul added just one run to his overnight total to be out for 176. Mushfiqur Rahim was the other notable scorer with 92 while opener Tamim Iqbal made 52.
The captain formed a 58run partnership with Sunzamul Islam on day two to rally the side before Rangana Herath inspired Sri Lanka get back into the game early in the morning session. The veteran left-arm spinner struck twice to dismiss Mominul and Mosaddek Hossain in the first seven overs of the day.
Mehidy Hassan then counter-attacked to keep Sri Lanka frustrated, but was run out for 20 trying to score a third run, leaving Bangladesh 417-7.
But Mahmudullah remained solid and added a valuable 35 runs with the last batsman Mustafizur Rahman (8) to help the side move past 500. Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 23.5-4-68-3, Lahiru Kumara 15-1-79-0, Dilruwan Perera 27-4-112-1, Rangana Herath 37-2-150-3, Lakshan Sandakan 22-1-92-2, Dhananjaya de Silva 5-0-12-0
Sri Lanka 1st innings
D. Karunaratne c Kayes b Mehidy K. Mendis not out D. de Silva not out
Extras: Total: Fall of wicket: Bowling:
0 83 104 0
(for one in 48 overs) 187 1-0. Mustafizur Rahman 7-1-31-0, Sunzamul Islam 15-1-52-0, Mehidy Hasan 8-0-45-1, Taijul Islam 17-3-56-0, Mosaddek Hossain 1-0-3-0.