Bangladesh Sri Lanka Test Series. 2nd Test Played at SBNCS Dhaka
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day One
Bangladesh 1st Innings 275/5. ( Liton K Das 135* Mushfiqur Rahim115*, Kasun Rajitha 3/43, Asitha Fernando2/80)
Winning the toss and choosing to bat on a wicket, which has a reputation for a vapouring spin, Bangladesh was crushed to 24/5 by the 7th over.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Tamim scored dreaded ducks, Shakib earned a golden duck. Shanto and Mominul also failed to reach double-digit. All these happened in the first hour of day one. All wickets fell to pacers swinging the ball a bit. What happened after that is a new record inscribed in the history of test cricket. Playing with back to the wall Mr dependable Mushfiqur Rahim and man in scorching form Liton K Das, turning the tide around carried Bangladesh to a commanding position at stumps of day one.
Bangladesh finished the day at 277/5. This wicket will definitely assist spinners on days four and five. If Bangladesh post anywhere near 400 in the first innings Sri Lanka will struggle to save the match.
Both the team made two changes in their lineup. Bangladesh was forced to change injured Shoriful and Naeem with Ebadat and Mosaddeq. Sri Lanka brought in Praveen Jayawickrama and Kasun Rajitha . Rajitha was a concussion substitute in the first test anyway.
The match was played on a fresh wicket and had possibly some moisture underneath. Sri Lanka pacers Rajitha and Fernando exploiting it smartly crashed Bangladesh to 24/5 in no time. Rajitha bowled Joy through the gate for a dreaded duck with a sharp inswinger pitching on a length. Joy should have played on the front foot.
Tamim also did not disturb the scorers by trying to play a delivery off his hip and offering a simple catch to Joyawickrama. Bangladesh was soon 6/2. Shanto and Mominul tried resurrecting the innings. But Sri Lankan pacers getting the taste of blood soon returned both back to the cold dressing room. Shakib also removed the first ball reducing Bangladesh to 24/5 by the 7th over.
ICC Chairman on a visit to Bangladesh was in the audience when these were happening. Bangladesh batsmen will be ashamed when the witness replays, as they did not have the technique or the skills against moving red cherry.
Liton joined Mushfique. The pair started playing fluently. Suddenly it appeared that they were batting on a different surface. Both looked supremely confident. They defended resolutely and played eye-pleasing strokes regularly. By tea, they set up the milestone of highest partnership in the 6th wicket for the team losing 5 wickets at less than 24. Both scored centuries. Mushfique had his 9th and back to back in two tests and Liton scored his third. Liton is in the form of his life. He was full of grace and elegance. He is unbeaten 135 struck 16 fours and a six. Mushfique got back his soothing delicacies. His 115 contained 15 strikes across the fence. Bangladesh finished the historic day at 2277/5. The milestone setting unbroken 6th wicket partnership promises big. The highest partnership for the 6th wicket however is 399 between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow against South Africa. If they score 400 plus they will dictate the terms from there on as the wicket will definitely develop turn and bounce as the match wears on.
BDST: 1802 HRS, MAY 23, 2022
MSK
