Brain freeze or committing suicide of the Bangladeshi batsmen in the twilight of day two have restored balance of the second test. Responding to a more than useful 338 all out of the home side Bangladesh at stumps of day two was 214/5.
The day did not dawn well for the tourists and did not dusk as well. Steady Chandimal led the rear-guard actions with the tail adding 100 more runs for the last three wickets to the overnight score of 238/7. He himself steered his team out of a hole with brilliant innings of 138 of a team total of 338. Bangladesh looked rosy at 192/2 till the last half an hour when reckless batting by Kayes and Shabbir saw Bangladesh crumble to 214/5. Only luck favoured Shakib not losing his wicket . He appeared to be in a suicide mission. In his 8 balls stay at the wicket he was dropped three times. It could not be comprehended how the top ranked all-rounder bat so irresponsibly.
After a splendid day one Bangladesh was expected to wrap up Sri Lanka innings early with the second new ball. Herath was picked early but Chandimal and Lakmal added invaluable 55 for the 9th wicket partnership. It was very difficult understanding why Mushfique did not go all out attacking Lakmal. Addition of another 100 runs in the last three wickets could prove decisive on a wicket already turning viciously. Chandimal perhaps played one of the best innings off his life scoring 138 runs off 300 deliveries.His was an innings of patience, grit and determination.
If any of the top four Bangladeshi batsmen could demonstrate an ounce of what Chandimal matters could be so different at stumps of day two. Tamim, Soumya, Imrul and Shabbir all got in but all gifted away their wickets playing reckless strokes. Kayes and Shabbir batted pathetically with stumps drawing close. The manners they both got out deserve disciplinary actions. Bangladesh lost 3 quick wickets bringing home side back in the contest. Shakib coming late tried his best to gift his wicket but home side was not ready accepting. True the wicket was turning; true Sandakan was mesmerising but international players must play with discretion especially at the end of the day instead of trying blowing out the bowling. Hope Mushfique and Shakib steers the team out tomorrow keeping the heads down and playing every ball according to their merit.
Tamim Soumya gave another good start and rolled to 95 before Tamim played a wrong line to a stump bounding ball from willy Herath. He was on 49. Kayes joined Soumya who was playing his normal self. After scoring his third fifty in as many innings he was also fooled by another spinner Sandaken. Shabbir was promoted for a left right hand combination. For reasons best known to them Shabbir thought it a t20 innings. He played some good strokes but looked edgy Imrul was a bit sedate. But in the last half an hour both looked panicked. There was no point trying hitting out quality spinners. Sri Lankan fielding looked ragged. Still Kayes and Shabbir sacrificed their wickets. Night Watchman Taijul had no clue. Suddenly Bangladesh slipped from 192/2 to 198/8. Shakib and Mushfique came together. Shakib appeared to forget that he was not a 11 batsman. He could be out at least thrice off the 8 balls he played. It was pure reckless batting. Luckily no farther damage was done. At 214 /5 Bangladesh is still 124 behind. Bangladesh let Sri Lanka getting back in the match. With ball started turning Bangladesh possibly has already lost the initiative.
Joy Bangla Cup
Score Card at Stumps of Day Two
Sri Lanka 338 All Out (LD Chandimal 138, RAS Lakmal 35, DM De Silva 34, N Dickwella 34, Mehedi Miraj 3/ 90, Mustafiz 2/ 50, Subhashish 2/53, Shakib 2/80). Bangladesh 214/4 (Soumya 61, Tamim 49, Shabbir 42, Imrul 34, Sandakan 3/ 65)
BDST: 2120 HRS, MAR 16, 2017
AP
