Bengal Tigers leaking their wounds from massive Galle test defeat bounced back with vengeance on day one Colombo test. Playing its 100th test on the birth day of test cricket at P Sara Oval Stadium Colombo tigers redeemed themselves. When dark surroundings forced the days preceding called off home side was 238/7 of 83.1 overs. 140 years back on this very day test cricket was born at cricket colosseum MCG. England played Australia. Bangladesh made the day one memorable bowling and fielding brilliantly restricting the home side to a manageable unfinished first innings. Wicket was looking sporting with extending equal assistance to batsmen and bowlers.
Bangladesh appeared with four changes bringing in Imrul Kayes, Shabbir Rahman, Mosaddeq and Taijul for Mominul, Mahmudullah, Liton Das and Taskin. Liton got injured in net session a day before the test requiring Mushfique going back to his accustomed position behind the wicket. Bangladesh decided playing three spinners and two pacers.
Herath for the second time was lucky with the coin and decided to bat. All five Bangladesh bowlers bowled brilliantly making stay at the wicket really challenging for Sri Lankan batsmen excepting Dinesh Chandimal who looked ploughing in the sand.
Mustafiz and Subhashish exploited whatever little assistance was there early on in the wicket. Young Miraj took a brilliant catch off the bowling of Mustafiz for an early strike removing Karunaratne. The youngster himself then accounted for Mendis and Tharanga with his smart off spinners. Sri Lanka was struggling at 35/3 by the 16 th over. Gunaratne joined Chandimal in the rescue act. But just before lunch a wonderful Yorker of Subhashish got rid of Gunaratne.
Home side was pushed on the back foot on the first session by the three rookie Bangladesh bowlers Mehedi Miraj, Mustafizur Rahman and Subhashish Roy picked four top order batsmen for 70. Second session between lunch and tea witnessed brave fight back between Chandimal and De Silva grinding and grafting. With dogged defence against probing spin bowling of the trio Bangladesh spinners the pair gave respectability with 66 runs 5th wicket partnership before Taiul disturbed the furniture of De Silva.
It was not a batsman paradise and the quality of Bangladesh bowling was exceptional on the day. Wonder boy Mustafiz is getting back to his strides. Young tiger Mehedi also is proving a valuable asset. It was a bit of a surprise when Subhashish was preferred over Taskin. But he also looked impressive. Shakib got a wicket but he was a bit below his best. Chandimal was a symbol of patience. He kept his composure coming to bat at a very difficult stage with openers removed early on. He set anchor at one end and rescued the innings from total disaster.
Bangladesh got few opportunities. He could be run out twice. One he was adjudged not out in DRS with no snicko available. However, Chandimal stayed on and at stumps was 86 not out scored off 210 deliveries. Skipper Herath was with him batting on 18. Given the state of 70/4 at lunch 237/8 in the context of the match is not a bad score .If Bangladesh cannot get Chandimal early on day two any score over 300 may put Sri Lnaka in a comfortable position. The wicket is looking dry and batting on the fourth innings will be a huge challenge. Bangladesh should take great heart from their performance at day one.
BDST: 2150 HRS, MAR 15, 2017
AP
