Bangladesh staring at defeat after batting debacle

A yet another batting debacle put Bangladesh in the knife-edge of a defeat in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka, whose bowlers came up with disciplined show after a monumental century of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal on day four at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Thanks to Mathews and Chandimal, who combined for a 199-run partnership for the sixth wicket helped Sri Lanka rack up 506 before being all out in their first innings. That gave them a handy 141-run lead as Bangladesh were
bundled out for 365 in their first innings.

Bangladesh made a disastrous start, like the way they did in the first innings and were reduced to 34-4 at stumps. They are still trailing by 107 runs to force Sri Lanka batting second time in the match, BSS reports.

Similar to the first innings, much depends on Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das who were in the crease with 14 and 1 runs respectively. The duo shared a record 272-run in the first innings after Bangladesh slumped to 24-5.

The day’s play began 30 minutes earlier to make the lost time of the third day and Bangladesh started in disappointing fashion, going wicket-less in the first two sessions.

Angelo Mathews, who scored 199 in the first Test, was the top-scorer for the side with an unbeaten 145 off 342, clobbering 12 fours and two sixes. Dinesh Chandimal complemented him with 124.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne hit 80, his opening partner Oshada Fernando struck 57 and Dhananjaya de Silva added 58 to contribute in team’s cause.

Resuming day on 282-5 and with a deficit of 83, Sri Lanka began in attacking mood with Chandimal hitting paceman Ebadot Hossain a boundary in the first over to make their intention clear.

Mathews also showed his penchant for quick runs, hitting Taijul Islam a six to start the day.