Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh will face daunting task on the fifth and final day of the second Test against Sri Lanka as the hosts lost their early four wickets for 34 runs on the fourth day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Thursday.
Earlier, Sri Lanka piled up a massive total of 506 in their first innings on the fourth day.
Bangladesh made 365 in the first innings on the second day (Tuesday). Bangladesh trailed by 107 runs.
Sri Lanka resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 282 for the loss of five wickets.
Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 58 and 10 runs respectively.
Mathews and Chandimal contributed more 177 runs in their sixth wicket partnership on the fourth day before Chandimal was caught at the cover by Tamim Iqbal off Ebadot Hossain when the islanders’ total was 465 for the loss of six wickets.
Chandimal notched up a marvelous 124. He hit 11 fours and a sixer in his 219-ball innings. It was Chandimal’s 12th century in Test cricket.
In-form Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten with 145 runs. His 342-ball innings saw 12 fours and two sixes. It was Angelo’s 13th century in Test cricket.
Sixth-down Niroshan Dickwella (9) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Lotton Das off Shakib Al Hasan when Sri Lanka’s score was 482 for the loss of seven wickets.
Seventh-down Ramesh Mendis (10) was trapped leg before wicket by Ebadot Hossain when the tourists’ total was 501 for the loss of eight wickets.
Number-10 batter Praveen Jayawickrama (0) was caught behind by Litton Das off Shakib Al Hasan when the visitors’ score was 502 for the loss of nine wickets.
Ninth-down Asitha Fernando (2) was run out by a joint-effort of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan and Sri Lanka’s innings came to an end.
Shakib Al Hasan captured five wickets in the space of 96 runs, while Ebadot Hossain claimed four wickets at the cost of 148 runs.
Bangladesh had a poor start as opener Tamim Iqbal (0) was caught at the second slip by Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando when the hosts’ score was 15 for the loss of one wicket.
One-down Najmul Hossain Shanto (2) was run out by a direct throw of Jayawickrama when Bangladesh’s score was 19 for the loss of two wickets.
Number-4 batter Mominul Haque ( 0) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Kusan Rajitha when the home side’s total was 19 for the loss of three wickets.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (15) was caught at the second slip by Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando and Bangladesh’s score was 23 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das were on 14 and one respectively before the bails were drawn for the fourth day.
Asitha Fernando bagged two wickets instead of 12 runs, while Kusan Rajitha took one wicket for 12 runs.
