Bangladesh VS Sri Lanka Test Series
1st Test Played at ZACS, Chattogram
Brief Scorecard at Sumps Day Three
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 397 All Out in 153 Overs (Angelo Mathhews 199, Dinesh Chandimal 66, Kushal Mendis 54, Oshda Fernando 36, Naeem Hasan 6/105, Shakib Al Hasan 3/60)
Bangladesh 1st Innings 318/3 in 107 Overs (Tamim Iqbal 133* , Mahmudul Hasan Joy 58, Liton K Das 54* , Mushfiqur Rahim 53* , Kasun Ranjita 2/17 , Asitha Fernando 1/55)
Bangladesh Trails by 79 runs with 7 first innings wickets at hand.
The brilliant opening partnership between prolific Tamim Iqbal (133*) and young prodigy Mahmudul Hasan Joy ( 58) and a steady unbroken 4th wicket partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim (53*) and Litoon K Das ( 54*) set Bangladesh to a position of advantage at stumps on day three. Though a tame draw appears a likely possibility, Bangladesh can press home batting aggressively and taking 100 plus lead by mid-session of day four. Wicket playing easy.
Bangladesh with better spin attack can turn the table on the visitors. Sri Lanka's bowling was a bit up and down. After breaking the resolute opening partnership after lunch, they could quickly grab three wickets reducing the home team to 3/184.
Tamim also got hurt at 220 and was forced to retire. But since then back to form again Mushfique and steady Litton K Das took home the team within 79 runs of the tourists. These two, Shakib yet to bat and with the possibility of Tamim resuming again Bangladesh can take 100 plus lead. If that happens home team can press home for an unlikely victory. But test cricket is very strange. It changes hue very quickly.
The feature of the day was Tamim scoring his 10th Test Century on his home ground and elevating to highest scorer of test cricket overtaking his mate Mushfique. He was a major contributor to the match-defining 162 first with a partnership with Mahmudul (58). His 217 balls halted at 133 when his wrist muscle was injured forcing him to retire. Resuming at 76/0 Bangladesh did not lose any wicket before lunch. Vistors had a Kasun Ranjita as a concussion replacement for Viswa Fernando. Just after lunch Joy fell caught behind of the bowling of Asitha Fernando. Within the wink of an eye Ranjita creating a situation of panic removed Shanto and Momonul. Mushfique joined Tamim. It was a race between the two seasoned professionals to reach 5000 career runs.
Unfortunately, Tamim got injured. Liton joining Mushfique kept the good works going. But the wicket's developing turn and some uncertain bounce made scoring a bit difficult. Bangladesh reached 318/3 by stumps. Mushfique (53) and Litton (54) looked steady. But with two days left the draw looks like a possibility. If any team can forge ahead that will be Bangladesh batting aggressively on day four to a good enough first-innings lead. The wicket will get slower and lower assisting spinners.
Bangladesh has to step up pace of batting. Sri Lankan spinners could not use the track the way Bangladeshi spinners did. They were also not sharp in the field. After a while Bangladesh really batted well excepting out of form Shanto and Mominul.
BDST: 1835 HRS, MAY 17, 2022
MSK/SMS
