Bangladesh-Sri Lanka 1st Test drawn

Bangladesh-Sri Lanka 1st Test drawn

Dhaka, Feb 4 (Just News) :  The first test of the two-match series between hosts Bangladesh and touring Sri Lanka ended in a draw in the final session of the 5th and final day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Sunday, featuring 105 by Mominul Haque and 94 runs Liton Das.

Two captains--Bangladesh stand-in captain Mahmudullah and Sri Lankan skipeer Dinesh Chandimal shake hands together to call the match draw at 3:20 pm in in Chittagong when Bangladesh scored 307 for 5 in 100 overs.

Bangladesh wobbled when they lost both their set batsmen - Mominul Haque and Liton Das - quickly in the afternoon session. But their stand-in captain Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain soaked up 106 balls to put the match beyond Sri Lanka's reach.

The 2nd final test between two teams will begin on February 8 at the home of Bangladesh cricket--Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The hero of the day and the game, Mominul Haque, who become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score centuries in both innings of a Test with good support from Liton Das, who was in sight of a century of his own before he lost his head and miscued a catch to mid-off running back.

Mominul, who scored 176 runs in the first innings of the just concluded first test, put his name in the history of Bangladesh cricket scoring the 2nd consecutive century by a single off a Sandakan delivery, amid huge cheers from home crowd.Mominul, who reached the landmark of 100 runs off 154 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes was adju8dged man of the match.

This was the 5th century for 26 years old left handed batsman Mominul Haque in the elite Test cricket playing 47 innings of the 26th test after making his test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in March 2013.

But his record breaking innings came to end when he was caught by Karunaratne off a De Silva delivery, contributing a polished 105 runs off 174 balls with three fours and two sixes, leaving team total 261 for 4 in 77.4 overs.

With the day's feat, Mominul not only enriched his individual career, but also guided the team to settle for draw contributing 180 runs in the 4th wicket stand with Liton Das.

After the dismissal of Mominul and his partner Liton Das, also backed to the pavilion quickly, caught by Perera off a Hearth ball, victim of nervous 90s, making 94 runs off 182 balls, hitting 11 boundaries with scorecard showing 279 for 5 in 82.2 overs.

But in the 6th wicket stand, captain Mahmudullah pairing with Mosaddek Hossain added another unbeaten 28 runs to close the innings at 307 for 5 in 100 overs to led the match by ---runs with Mahmudllah and Mosaaddek remained not out 28 and 8 runs respectively.

I was looking for the hundred, Liton Das says after the match. It was a mistake on my part. When me and Mominul batted we planned over by over. There are some rough patches, but we managed to cover it.

Replying Bangladesh first innings total 513 runs, Sri Lanka declared the first innings with mammoth total of 713 for 9 featuring three centuries to give Bangladesh an strong challenge restricting them for 81 for 3 on day-4 (Saturday), but in the final day Mominul Haque pairing Liton Das overcame challenge making 180 runs in the 4th wicket stand

Brief score:

Bangladesh 1st innings -513 for all, Mominul 176, Mushfiqur 92, Mahmudullah 83 n.o, Sunzamul 24, Mehidy 20, Lakmal 3/68, Herath 3/150 and Sandakan 2/92.

2nd innings - 281 for 5 in 86 overs, Mominul 105, Liton 94, Tamim 41, Kayes 19, Mahmudullah 28 n.o, , Mosaddek 8 n.o, Herath 2/80, de Silva 1/41, Lakshan 1/64, and Perera 1/74.

Sri Lankan 1st innings - 713/9 in 199.3 overs (dec.) Kusal 196, Dhananjaya 173, Roshen 109, Chandimal 87, Taijul 4/219, Miraz 3/174.)

(Just News/ak/1925hr.)