Sports Reporter :
Hosts Sri Lanka clinched the two-match Test series 1-0 defeating Bangladesh by 209 runs in the second Test on the fifth and final day at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka on Monday.
The hosts declared their first innings making 493 for the loss of seven wickets on the third day (Saturday) after winning the toss. Opener Lahiru Thirimanne top-scored with 140 runs, while Dimuth Karunaratne hit a superb 118. Oshada Fernando made 81, while Niroshan Dickwella remained unbeaten with 77.
Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed captured four wickets at the cost of 127 runs. The tourists were all out for 251 in the first innings on the third day. Opener Tamim Iqbal notched up a marvelous 92. Mominul Haque played a captain’s knock of 49, while Mushfiqur Rahim hit a polished 40.
Left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama claimed six wickets in the space of 92 runs.
The home side declared their second innings scoring 194 for the loss of nine wickets on the fourth day (Sunday) and set a target of 437 runs to win for the visitors. Karunartne top-scored with 66 runs. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam grabbed five wickets at the cost of 72 runs.
Bangladesh scored 227 runs in the second innings on the fifth and final day.
The visitors resumed their second innings with the overnight score of 177 for the loss of five wickets.
Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz resumed their second innings with the over night score of 14 and four runs respectively.
Liton Das was trapped leg before wicket by Jayawickrama after adding only three runs on the fifth day when Bangladesh’s score was 183 for the loss of six wickets.
After Liton’s departure, Taijul Islam (2) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Dhananjaya de Silva when the touring side’s total was 206 for the loss of seven wickets.
Seventh-down Taskin Ahmed (7) was caught at the extra-cover by Karunaratne off Ramesh Mendis when the visitors’ score was 227 for the loss of eight wickets.
Miraz was caught at the leg slip by Pathum Nissanka off Jayawickrama when Bangladesh’s total was 227 for the loss of nine wickets.
Miraz made 39 from 86 balls featuring four fours.
Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim scored a fine 40 in the second innings.
Abu Jayed (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Jayawickrama and Bangladesh’s second innings came to an end.
Jayawickrama captured five wickets in the space of 86 runs, while Ramesh Mendis picked up four wickets for 103 runs.
Debutante Jayawickrama was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance, while Karunaratne was adjudged the Man of the Series for his consistent batting performance.
