Sports Reporter :
The first Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw on the fifth day and final day at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Bangladesh who won the toss declared their first innings after piling up a mammoth total of 541 for the loss of seven wickets on the third day (Friday). As the match ended in a draw Bangladesh collected 20 points. The match was part of ICC Test Championship.
In reply, Sri Lanka declared their first innings making a massive 648 for the loss of eight wickets on the fifth day (Sunday).
Later, Bangladesh scored 100 for the loss of two wickets in their second innings before the bails were drawn for the final day. The fifth day match was shortened due to rain.
Sri Lanka resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 512 for the loss of three wickets.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 234 and 154 respectively.
Dhananjaya de Silva was bowled out for 166 by pacer Taskin Ahmed when Sri Lanka’s score was 535 for the loss of four wickets.
After Dhananjaya’s dismissal, Kfarunaratne could stay at the crease for a short period as he (244) was caught at the midwicket by Najmul Hossain Shanto off Taskin Ahmed when the hosts’ total was 544 for the loss of five wickets.
Fourth-down Pathum Nissanka (12) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Ebadat Hossain when the Islanders’ score was 553 for the loss of six wickets.
Fifth-down Niroshan Dickwella and Hasaranga de Silva fought back adding together 32 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Dickwella (31) was run out by a joint effort of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Liton Das when the home side’s total was 585 for the loss of seven wickets.
After Dickwella’s departure, Hasaranga de Silva and Suranga Lakmal put on together 62 runs in the eight-wicket stand before Hasaranga (43) was bowled out by Taijul Islam when Sri Lanka’s score was 547 for the loss of eight wickets.
Taskin Ahmed was his team’s most successful bowler. He claimed three wickets at the cost of 112 runs.
Taijul Islam and Ebadat Hossain also shone with the cherry on the final day. Taijul Islam bagged two wickets in the space of 163 runs, while Ebadat Hossain got one wicket for 99 runs.
Later, Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Saif Hassan (1) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Suranga Lakmal when the tourists’ score was 21.
After Saif’s dismissal, one-down Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) was bowled out by Lakmal when the visitors’ total was 27 for the loss of two wickets.
Then opener Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque repaired the damage contributing together 73 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership before the umpires drew the bails.
Tamim Iqbal remained unbeaten with 74. His 98-ball innings was laced with 10 fours and three sixes. It was Tamim’s 30th Test half-century. Tamim reached his 50-run landmark using 56 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes.
Mominul remained unbeaten with 23.
Lakmal bagged two wickets in the space of 21 runs.
Dimuth Karunaratne hit a terrific 244 runs and was adjudged the Man of the Match.
