Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh took the upper hand against Sri Lanka making 465 runs in the first innings on the fourth day play of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday.
Earlier, Sri Lanka made 397 in the first innings on the second day (Monday).
Sri Lanka were at the stumps at 39 for the loss of two wickets.
Bangladesh overall led by 29 runs.
Bangladesh resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 318 for the loss of three wickets.
Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 54 and 53 runs respectively.
Later, they added more 67 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Litton Das was caught behind by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Kusan Rajitha when Bangladesh’s score was 385 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim shone with the willow making 105. His 282-ball patient innings was belted with four fours. It was Mushfiqur’s eighth century in Test cricket.
Litton Das notched up a splendid 88. His 189-ball knock was decorated with 10 fours.
After Litton’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal came at the crease but injured Tamim could stay at the crease for a short period as he was bowled out by Rajitha when the hosts’ total was 385 for the loss of five wickets. Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim returned to the pavilion on the third day (Tuesday) making 133 as he was retired hurt.
After Tamim’s departure, Shakib Al Hasan (26) was caught behind by Dickwella off Asitha Fernando when Bangladesh’s score was 421 for the loss of six wickets.
Third-down Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled out by Lasith Embuldeniya when the home side’s total was 439 for the loss of seven wickets.
Number-8 batter Nayeem Hasan (9) was caught at the short-leg by Kusal Mendis off Dhananjaya de Silva when the hosts’ score was 450 for the loss of eight wickets.
Seventh-down Taijul Islam (20) was caught at the fine leg by substitute C Karunaratne off Asitha Fernando when the Tigers’ total was 465 for the loss of nine wickets.
Number-10 batter Shoriful Islam (3) was retired out and Bangladesh’s innings came to an end.
Kusan Rajitha and Asitha Fernando shone with the cherry on the fourth day. Rajitha captured four wickets at the cost of 60 runs, while Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets in the space of 72 runs.
Later, opener Oshada Fernando (19) was run out by a direct throw when the islanders’ total was 36 for the loss of one wicket.
One-down Lasith Embuldeniya (2) was bowled out by Taijul Islam when Sri Lanka’s score was 39 for the loss of two wickets and the bails were drawn for the fourth day.
