SL v BAN, 2nd Test, Day 4 Review: Karunaratne century keeps Sri lanka afloat

Riding on a brilliant century by opener Dimuth Karunaratne Sri Lanka staged a comeback on the penultimate day of the 2nd Test against Bangladesh and finished the day on 268/8. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Karunaratne kept going and smashed a brilliant century which has kept the hosts in the match. Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan was brilliant with the ball, finishing with 3 wickets each. Dilruwan Perera also played a gutsy knock towards the end and remained unbeaten on 26 of 126 deliveries.

Beginning the day on 54/0, Sri Lanka lost opener Upul Tharanga in the 2nd over of the day to off-spinner Mehedi Hasan. It was a brilliant delivery from the teenager which pitched on middle and leg and turned sharply to take the top of the off stump. It was unfortunate for Tharanga to receive that kind of a delivery first up. Youngster Kusal Mendis walked out in the middle to join Karunaratne.

Mendis began with a boundary of Mustafizur Rahman in the 20th over and Karunaratne followed it up with a spanking drive of the same bowler in his very next over. The duo kept on rotating the strike as pressure started building on the visiting team. Mendis got a reprieve in the 23rd over of Mehedi Hasan when Imrul Kayes missed a straightforward chance at short leg. Karunaratne reached his half-century in the 30th over by guiding a delivery from Taijul Islam towards the point region.

After sharing an impressive 86 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket, Mendis was dismissed by a peach of a delivery from Mustafizur Rahman. It was a fuller length delivery which was angling in and Mendis played with an angled bat. The ball straightened after pitching and went to the wicketkeeper as the batsman poked his bat out. The onfield decision was in favour of the hosts but after seeing replays the 3rd umpire overturned the decision despite there being no conclusive evidence.

Meanwhile, Karunaratne smashed a couple of fours and six as centurion from the 1st innings Dinesh Chandimal came out in the middle to support the southpaw. He couldn’t carry on from where he left in the 1st innings and was dismissed cheaply after making only 5. The experienced batsman chased at a wide delivery and got an outside edge which was safely pouched by Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps.

Asela Gunaratne who has been in superb form in the limited overs format couldn’t quite replicate his performance and was dismissed in the 54th over by Shakib Al Hasan. He offered no stroke and it came back with the arm and struck him plumb in front. There was no hesitation in the umpire’s mind and ruled it in favour of Bangladesh. Dhananjaya de Silva departed in quick succession of the bowling of Mustafizur as Sri Lanka slumped to 176/5 from 143/1.

Niroshan Dickwella followed his senior partners to the dressing room after only making 5. As Dickwella attempted a paddle sweep Mushfiqur had already attempted the shot. He moved in the correct direction and completed an exceptional catch. Meanwhile, Karunaratne reached his 5th Test century in the 57th over of Mustafizur Rahman and his celebrations showed much the century meant for him and the home team.

He was eventually dismissed by Shakib after making 126. He was tempted into the drive and the ball went on with the arm. It took a faint edge and was well held by Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps. Dilruwan Perera played a gutsy knock and remained unbeaten on 26 of 126 deliveries when the chips were down. Suranga Lakmal also remained unbeaten on 60 as Sri Lanka ended the 4th day on 268/8 in their 2nd innings, leading Bangladesh by 139 runs.

Watch: Last ball drama! Aleem Dar nods & immediately says not-out

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5f5ejj_last-ball-drama_sport

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 1st innings 338 all-out in 113.1 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 138, Mehedi Hasan 3/90)

Bangladesh 1st innings 467 all-out in 134.1 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 116, Mosaddek Hossain 75, Rangana Herath 4/82)

Sri Lanka 2nd innings 268/8 in 100 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 126, Mustafizur Rahman 3/52, Shakib Al Hasan 3/61)

Sri Lanka lead by 139 runs with 2 wickets remaining