Bangladesh VS Sri Lanka Test Series

2nd Test Played at SBNCS Dhaka

Brief Score Card at Stumps Day three

Bangladesh 365 All Out in 116.2 Overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 175*, Litton K Das 141, Kasun Rajitha 5/64, Asitha Fernando 4/93)

Sri Lanka 282/5 in 97 Overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 80, Angelo Mathews 58*, Dhananjaya de Silva 58, Oshada Fernando 57, Shakib Al Hasan 3/59, Ebadat Hossain 2/78)

Rain wiped off entire second session of day three. Sri Lanka batting doggedly kept the match tantalizingly poised. At stumps, they were trailing Bangladesh by 83 runs with 5 wickets at hand.

Two of their most experienced batsmen, Angelo Mathews batting on 58 and Dinesh Chandimal on 10. Niroshan Dickwala is still to come. If Sri Lanka gets a reasonably big lead the match may tilt on their side. On the other hand, if Bangladesh manages to take 2-3 wickets in the first session managing a lead the match's fate will be wide open. The wicket is taking turns. The last sessions of day four and entire day five would be very interesting if rain does not interfere.

Sri Lanka started day three at 143/2 under a cloudy sky threatening rain. Ebadat bowled superbly at pace in the right channel. Shakib kept things tight at the other end.  Rajitha, the night watchman was cleaned up by Ebadat soon. Shakib struck a deadly blow removing well set Karunaratne for 80.

Bangladesh started hoping against hope. But the rain came just before lunch. Sri Lanka reached 210/4 by then.  The entire second session was wiped off for rain. Play stated after tea. Veteran Angelo Mathews (58*) and young all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva (58) rallied for Sri Lanka adding priceless 102 runs for the 5th wicket. Shakib struck again making Dhananjaya nibble behind Litton. Chandibmal was with Angelo while stumps were drawn. Sri Lanka must be happier of the two teams at stumps. They batted with patience and commitment. Every batsman put a price on his wicket. Four batsmen scored half-century playing every ball to its merit. They can dream of getting up to a position of command with Angelo Mathews leading their way. Bangladesh has to remove him early if they have to stay in the match. An interesting situation in deed.

The match will start half an hour early on day four. The wicket started turning a bit. The team that earns a first-innings lead of 50 or more will be in an advantageous position as batting last on the surface may not be easy. Shakib has an opportunity for grabbing another 5 wickets haul.

BDST: 2153 HRS, May 2022
MSK