POBNEWS24, Dhaka May 18, 2022 : Bangladesh took a 68-run lead against Sri Lanka after being shot out for 465 in their first innings on day four of the first cricket Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday.
Tamim Iqbal was the highest scorer for the side 133 while Mushfiqur Rahim, who became the first Bangladeshi batter to reach 5000-run landmark, hit 105.
Liton Das struck 88 and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 58.
Kasun Rajitha, the concussion sub of Vishwa Fernando was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler with 4-60, which was his career-best figure and his effort was complemented by fellow pacer Asitha Fernando, who had figures of 3-72.
Lasith Embuldaniya and Dhananjaya de Silva took the rest of the two wickets as Bangladesh’s last batter Shoriful Islam had to retire hurt after feeling pain on his hand.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 397 in their first innings, with Angelo Mathews scoring 199.
Mushfiqur’s eighth century came off 270 balls when he glanced Asitha Fernando for a boundary through fine-leg. It was the slowest century amongst his eight Test tons, which was his first triple digit figure since his double century against Zimbabwe in 2020.
Bangladesh, however, moved slowly once they began the day with 318-3 as the overnight batters Mushfiqur and Liton Das didn’t show any sign of going after the bowlers.
Mushfiqur was 15 runs short when the day’s game began and nudged pacer Asitha Fernando through fine leg for two runs to reach the feat in 149 innings of 81 test matches.
Bangladesh scored just 67 runs in the first session.
Sri Lanka got back with bang in the second session, with Kasun Rajitha dealt a double strike in consecutive deliveries.
He forced Liton nick a delivery to wicket-keeper in the first ball of the post-lunch session, removing him for 88 off 189. Liton stroked 10 boundaries in his knock.
Liton’s dismissal brought Tamim, who retired hurt on 133 on day three, in the crease. But, he went for an expensive drive in the first ball he faced and saw his wicket shattered. The dismissal left him 19 runs short of reaching the 5000-run milestone.
Shakib then showed some intention to score quick runs but after reaching 25 off 44, he top-edged an Asitha Fernando’s delivery.
Mushfiqur Rahim went for a sweep but mistimed to give Embuldeniya the first wicket. He played 282 balls and hit four fours in his knock.
The lower order, however, couldn’t resists much apart from Taijul who made 20.
Bangladesh’s innings came to an end as Shoriful Islam was retired out after getting pain on his hand when he swung his bat widely to chase a delivery of Rajitha.
