Bangladesh bowlers fought back after an underwhelming first day but Niroshan Dickwella’s run-a-ball 64 late on Day two kept the hosts on top as it helped Sri Lanka reach 469-6 in their first innings at stumps of the second Test at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Friday.
Pacer Taskin Ahmed was easily the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, as he picked up three wickets on the day while the spin duo of Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan took one wicket each.
Overnight centurion Lahiru Thirimanne departed for 140 and his partner Oshada Fernando got dismissed on 81 in the first session, where Bangladesh bowlers picked up three wickets to restore some parity in the contest.
But Dickwella along with Ramesh Mendis (22) formed an unbroken 87-run stand for the seventh to take their team over the 450-run mark before the day’s play abruptly ended on the final session due to bad light.
Resuming the day’s play on 291-1, Sri Lanka looked to be in a prime position to accelerate, score quick runs and bring Bangladesh onto bat in the dying parts of the day.
But the Tiger bowlers put forth a brave effort upfront, as they bowled with incredible discipline from the get-go, conceding only 22 runs off the first 14 overs before the first success of the day came from Taskin.
Thirimanne, who had made 131 on the opening day, gave a catch to wicketkeeper Liton Das while trying play a ball directed to his body, which ended a 104-run between him and Fernando.
Taskin then produced an edge off the blade of Angelo Mathews in the same over, which was taken by Liton, but both the bowler and fielders didn’t appeal.
But Taskin dismissed the veteran batter a few overs later, making him edge a ball at slip and return to the dug-out for just five.
Last match’s centurion Dhananjaya de Silva then departed for only two off Taijul Islam, with Nazmul Hossain Shanto taking a very sharp catch.
Taskin continued bowling with a head of steam in the post-lunch session as well and got rewarded when he went through the gates of Pathum Nissanka (31) and rattled his stumps.
Fernando, who batted for over five hours, finally gave in just 19 short of what would have been his second Test ton, as his attempted sweep shot ricocheted off his gloves, thigh pad and bat before being pouched by Liton.
Bangladesh was hoping to take the remaining four Sri Lanka wickets in quick time but Dickwella and Mendis didn’t allow it to happen.
Dickwella struck seven fours in his brisk innings while Mendis held the other end as the duo frustrated the Bangladesh bowlers and ensured Sri Lanka ended the day without losing any more wickets.
Bangladesh, although, had the chance to end this partnership late in the day, when Taskin produced an edge off Mendis but Nazmul, who had dropped an easy catch on the previous day too, dropped a regulation catch at slips.
Only 9.5 overs took place in the final session, as the play first got interrupted just three overs into the session for a light drizzle.
Play resumed after twenty minutes but the players had to leave the field again after just 5.5 overs due to bad light.
The play will start 15 minutes earlier for the remainder of the game to try and make up for the lost overs.
