Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by a massive 328 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva received the Player of the Match award for his brilliant batting, hitting centuries (102 & 108) in both innings. Lankan pacer Kasun Rajitha’s five-wicket haul helped the visitors to secure a dominant win with ease. Mominul Haque fought a lone battle for Bangladesh with an unbeaten knock of 87 while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a decent 33.
Haque resisted 148 deliveries, and he produced a fine batting with Miraz and Shoriful Islam on significant partnerships. However, Sri Lanka’s quicks tracked down the final five fourth-innings wickets and completed the job midway through the second session of day four, with Rajitha taking his second career five-wicket haul to end with figures of 5 for 56.
Rajitha dismissed Taijul Islam LBW in the third over of the day with a jagged back delivery, and later in the morning session, Mehidy was caught driving to break the inning’s most significant stand. He finished his five-for with a double strike shortly after noon. Shoriful had resisted Sri Lanka for 41 deliveries, but he gave Rajitha a simple caught-and-bowled opportunity when he attempted to drive him on. Rajitha followed with a brilliant fourth-stump length delivery to Khaled Ahmed, who nicked it to the wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis.
Lahiru Kumara was the only other bowler to strike on day four, and he had No.11 Nahid Rana caught off the shoulder of the bat to finish the match, giving Sri Lanka a clinical victory, their second-largest margin of runs. The Lankan pacers took all 20 opposition wickets, something Sri Lanka’s bowling attack had not done since the mid-1980s. This mirrored the nature of the Sylhet surface, as well as the talent and intensity of Sri Lanka’s seamers.
Bangladesh began the day in bad form, reeling at 47 for 5, but the home side will be disappointed that they were unable to make Sri Lanka work harder, especially when rain was anticipated for late afternoon. They were dismissed for 182 after being bowled out for 188 in the first innings. They did not last 50 overs in the second dig, as no batter except Mominul passed 35 or batted for more than 50 balls.
The second test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be played from March 30 to April 3 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Bangladesh will look to bounce back strong, winning the match and level the series.
