BAN vs SL, 1st Test, Day 2, Review: Dhananjaya de Silva lifts Sri Lanka after Bangladesh post 513

The second day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh began with the home side in the ascendancy on the back of an excellent knock from Mominul Haque. The visitors looked completely out of control on the first day and had to pick quick wickets in the first session. However, the day, in a way, belonged to the visitors as they batted really well when their turn came in reply to 513 posted by Bangladesh.

The overnight duo of Mominul and the skipper Mahmudullah with an aim to post a mammoth total by putting their opposition into the submission. But the former, who was on the cusp of his maiden double ton, was scalped by Rangana Herath in the third over of the day on 176. His knock was studded with 16 fours and a solitary maximum. Soon, the same bowler struck as Mosaddek Hossain was dismissed as the hopes of Sri Lankans rejuvenated to bowl them out under 450.

Mahmudullah leads from the front

Mahmudullah then took the tail and batted gamely for his team. Mehidy Hasan played a cameo of 20 runs and was run-out only to blame himself for misjudging the third run. However, it was the partnership between the captain and the debutant Sunzamul Islam which took Bangladesh close to 500. Both added 58 runs for the eighth wicket during which Mahmudullah reached his half-century. Lakshan Sandakan was the next to strike as Sunazamul was dismissed for 24. Eventually, they were bowled out for 513 with Suranga Lakmal cleaning up the frustrating last-wicket stand.

Herath and Lakmal ended with three wickets as Sandakan picked a couple of wickets. Dilruwan Perera was the other wicket-taker as Sri Lanka needed a herculean effort with the bat to gun down the first innings total.

De Silva counter-attacks

Sri Lanka got off to the worst possible start as the opener Dimuth Karunaratne edged a delivery from Mehidy Hasan for a duck. But what transpired next was the least expected as there was a lot of pressure on the batsmen. Dhananjaya de Silva arrived at the middle and started playing his shots from the word go. Kusal Mendis also joined him soon as both of them absolutely comfortable during their stay in the middle.

Though the pitch misbehaved in between with the ball turning square from good length area and also stayed low at times. Meanwhile, de Silva completed his second successive ton after impressing everyone in India. His shots displayed his authority over the bowlers and remained unbeaten on 104 off just 127 deliveries with as many as 15 boundaries. His partner Mendis is also looking good with 83 to his name hitting seven boundaries and a solitary six.

Bangladesh, much like their opponents on the first day, looked clueless and wasted both their reviews. Sri Lanka finished the day on 187 for the loss of only one wicket as the second wicket stand refused to give up on a deteriorating pitch. The third day should be a moving one now and expect the home side to come out with more intent to take wickets.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh 513 (M Haque 176, M Rahim 92, Mahmudullah 83*; S Lakmal 3/68, R Herath 3/150)

Sri Lanka 187/1 (De Silva 104*, K Mendis 83; M Hasan 1/45)