There was not very a lot in it for the bowlers within the Chattogram Take a look at and never for the primary time. Angelo Mathews, specifically, delivered a well timed reminder of his high quality with the bat, falling only one run wanting a double century in Sri Lanka’s first innings. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim struck centuries in reply for Bangladesh, with Mahmudul Hasan Pleasure and Litton Das additionally within the runs for the hosts. However regardless of some early breakthroughs in Sri Lanka’s second innings, a consequence by no means appeared possible.
Dinesh Chandimal, who made a fifty within the first innings, and Niroshan Dickwella made completely sure of that for Sri Lanka, with Chandimal stubbornly resisting for 39 runs from 135 balls while Dickwella performed extra expansively for his 61. Sri Lanka had been already within the lead when that pair got here collectively on the crease, however their benefit was slim sufficient to maintain Bangladesh nearly in with an opportunity of snatching one other glorious win.
As an alternative, each groups will flip their attentions to the second and ultimate Take a look at of this collection in Mirpur which begins on the 23rd. Victory there could be crucial for each groups, however notably for Bangladesh. They’ve made some spectacular strides in all three codecs of late, most notably incomes a creditable attract a two-match Take a look at collection away from house towards New Zealand and beating South Africa away in an ODI collection.
However their efficiency within the World Take a look at Championship nonetheless leaves loads to be desired. That win over New Zealand in Mount Manganui stays their solely victory in seven matches performed and so they had been thrashed of their final collection on house turf by Pakistan, regardless of rain doing its greatest to salvage them a draw within the second match. Their effort in Chattogram was a marked enchancment on that, but when Bangladesh are to compete towards the easiest, they’ll want extra.
Sri Lanka, in the meantime, are higher positioned within the World Take a look at Championship desk, stage on factors with New Zealand having performed one match fewer. However they’re a great distance from competing for a spot within the ultimate, with Pakistan 16 factors away from them in first place and second-placed South Africa 32 factors forward. Nonetheless, having been closely reliant on Dimuth Karunaratne’s contributions of late, it’ll certainly please new coach Chris Silverwood to have seen a number of gamers cross 50.
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