Azad Majumder . Chittagong
Some poor fielding and wicket-keeping marred Bangladesh’s fine bowling efforts as Sri Lanka piled up a massive 371 for six thanks to a century from Tillakaratne Dilshan on the opening day of the second Test at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors were struggling at 75 for four when Dilshan came to the crease and he was eventually last the man out, bowled by left-arm spinner Enamul Haque Jr, for a rapid 162 off 165 balls.
The right-hander, who raced to his half-century in only 37 deliveries and completed his sixth Test century from 93 balls, led the counter-attack after Bangladesh had the visitors on their toes in the entire first session.
Mashrafee bin Murtaza struck in his first over to dismiss makeshift opener Prasanna Jayawardene for a first-ball duck and then sent back Kumar Sangakkara (5) in his next over, bowled off an inside-edge.
Mahela Jayawardene, who was playing his 100th Test being only the fourth Sri Lankan, was caught by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Sakib al Hasan for 11, adding only three runs after he was given a life by the same man off the same bowler.
Sri Lanka went for lunch with 65-3 and things were getting worse for them when Shahadat Hossain had removed Thilan Samaraweera for 14 shortly after the restart. But his replacement at the crease, Dilshan, took a different strategy and it helped Sri Lanka change the total scenario.
Shocked and surprised by the counter-attack, Bangladesh lost their confidence totally and it was reflected in the movements of the fielders, who not only dropped a few chances but also gave some unnecessary boundaries.
Dilshan, dropped by Junaed Siddique on 78, fully captalised on the missed chance and produced two century stands with opener Malinda Warnapura and Chamara Kapugedera, who replaced Michael Vandort for this game.
Warnapura, who was lucky not to be stumped on 19 off Sakib, anchored the innings from one end and Dilshan attacked from the other end as Sri Lanka added 164 runs in just 30 overs of the second session.
Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful provided the team a much-needed breakthrough when he trapped the opener in front with his first delivery, ending his 119-run stand for the fifth wicket with Dilshan.
Warnapura also chipped in with 63, his fourth Test half-century. Kapugedera replaced him in the middle and shared another 173 runs with Dilshan in the sixth-wicket stand. But the partnership could have been ended a lot earlier if Imrul Kayes could take Kapugedera’s catch at mid-on off Mashrafee.
Kapugedera, who was batting on 37 at that time, remained unbeaten on 93 at the stumps. However, Bangladesh were relieved after they managed to get rid of Dilshan, who had survived an easy stumping chance when he was on 155.
‘That’s part of the game. It gives you an opportunity to capitalise and when you get a let-off you should then try and make a big score. It was an opportunity for someone to put a hand up and I am happy to have contributed,’ Dilshan said after the day’s play.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
