Bangladesh restricted Sri Lanka to 238/7 on Day 1 of their 100th Test at Colombo’s P Sara Oval on Wednesday.
Batting first on a wicket that offered plenty assistance for the pacers and spinners, the hosts began gingerly, with the top-order back in the pavillion with just 35 on the board. Dinesh Chandimal (86*) was the only batsman who mustered up some resistance against a Bangladesh bowling unit that reduced Sri Lanka to 70/4 at Lunch.
He led a patient fightback with four boundaries in a knock that saw him face 204 balls. Chandimal was supported by the middle-order, with crucial contributions from Dhananjaya de Silva (34), with whom he stitched a 66-run stand for the fifth wicket, and Niroshan Dickwella (34).
Chandimal and skipper Rangana Herath added an unbeaten 43 for the eighth wicket before stumps were drawn.
Bangladesh spinners were tidy and regularly posed difficult questions to the Lankan batsmen. Teenager Mehdi Hasan scalped two of the four wickets that fell before Lunch. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman (2/32) also made full use of the bowler friendly conditions, varying his pace cleverly, and maintaining a fuller length. Pacer Subashis Roy and left-arm spinners Taijul Islam and Shakib Al Hasan also picked up a wicket each.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s side, who are playing their 100th five-day game, could have dismissed Chandimal mid-way through the day. The Lankan vice-captain got a top-edge while attempting to sweep Taijul Islam but replays showed that Mehdi Hasan’s catch at fine-leg had touched the surface during the follow through.
Brief scores
- Sri Lanka 238/7 (Dinesh Chandimal 86*, Niroshan Dickwella 34; Mustafizur Rahman 2/32, Mehdi Hasan 2/58) vs Bangladesh.
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