Rocket Test Series 
Ist Test:  Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh Played at Zahur Ahmed ChowdhuryStadium , Chittagong 
Scorecard at Stumps of Day Three
Bangladesh 513 ( MominulHuq 176 , Mushfiqur Rahim 92 , Mahmudullah 83* , TamimIqbal 52 , ImrulKayes 40, Lakmal 3 /, Herath 3/ )  Sri Lanka 504/3 ( Mendis 193 , DS de Silva 175 , ARS Silva 87* , Chandimal 37 ) 

At stumps of day three in Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Chittagong Sri Lanka have their nose in front. On a dead unresponsive surface Sri Lankan top order batsmen batted brilliantly replying to Bangladesh score of 513. By stumps of day three at 504/3 they are strongly placed for dictating terms of the test over the rest of match on day four and five. With 7 wickets in tact it is very much possible that Sri Lanka takes 150 runs lead. With vastly experienced Lakmal and Herath visitors may create pressure on Bangladesh. Many expected that wicket may grip and turn after midday of day three. But it did not. Inexperienced Bangladesh attack of Taizul(16), Mustafiz (9), Mehedi(11) and Shajamamul(1) toiled hard through out the day without much success. Only two wickets could be taken on day three as Sri Lanka added 316 runs to their overnight score of 187/1. We are not sire what Bangladesh team management would gain fro ordering for an absolute dead surface and exposing rookie bowlers against Sri Lanka. In absence of Shakib Bangladesh required an experienced spinner .Many thought veteran left arm spinner AbdurRazzak would be included as he was drafted to he team. Bangladesh may now have to toil for saving the test against quality Sri Lankan bowling in the second innings if they forge ahead by 150 or more from here on.

Fortunate Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. Matured Sri Lanka remained unperturbed chasing a huge score of 513. Never for a moment other than Karunaratne going early yesterday  Bangladesh bowlers looked like getting wickets .DS de Silva was picked up by Mustafiz after he scored brilliant 176 not before the second wicket partnership produced quality 308 runs. His 229 ball classic innings contained 21 fours and a six. Mendis went on towards double century But fell short at 196 off the bowling of Taijul. His 327 balls innings also contained 22 fours and 2 sixes. Bangladesh bowlers could not create any further in roads into Sri Lankan middle order. Even the fourth wicket pair of ARS Silva and Dinesh Chandimal added 89 runs. Silva was on 87 and Chandimal on 37 when stumps were drawn. The hard grind of Bangladesh would continue tomorrow. I am not sure the Bangladesh attack can even get 10 wickets on such a surface not of speaking making Sri Lanka all out twice. Now Bangladesh runs the risks of losing the test. We are not sure what would be the excuse of BCB for preparing such wicket and going for such an inexperienced attack. Feel really sorry for Sanzamamul on his inauspicious debut. I do not find any way Bangladesh turning around and restricting Sri Lanka to a manageable lead. Sri Lanka may not like batting a second time and may bat for one and a half session tomorrow.

BDST: 1858 HRS, FEB 2, 2018
AP