Does cricket have any existence, unlike IPL? Maybe not in today’s world. Hosts Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who are trying to save their existence in Test cricket away from the IPL, are playing the first Test match of the series in Chattogram. Sri Lanka, which has gone through its golden era, has been completely shattered. On the other hand, the condition of Bangladesh is also mixed.
Both the countries have seen some of the best faces in the past years that illuminate the picture of the future. But today’s players do not like to give importance to Test cricket. Which is a truth that cannot be turned away.
After winning the toss, the Sri Lanka team decided to bat first. Just a few steps of the match had progressed and only 23 runs were added on the scoreboard for Sri Lanka. This decision was proved wrong by the young host’s bowler Naeem by dismissing Sri Lankan captain Dimuth. The hosts recovered from this initial setback as Nayeem sabotaged Sri Lanka’s plan by dismissing the second opener.
The score was 2 wickets for 66 runs and the experienced pair of Mendis and Mathews were at the crease to lift the hopes of Sri Lanka standing helplessly.The host’s side was at its peak and were looking to get some wickets.
But Sri Lanka needed a partnership which was spearheaded by the experienced pair and nailed down by the inexperienced bowling of the hosts. The host definitely missed a bowler like Rahman in the first innings who is busy playing IPL. This was what Sri Lanka was looking for, for which they got immense benefits. Mathews went down by just 1 run from his double century and the belligerent innings of Mendis and Chandimal helped Sri Lanka post 397 in the first innings.
From the host side, Naeem took 6 wickets and was the most successful with Shakib also taking 3 wickets. The second day’s play started and the hosts needed a better start to which Bangladesh’s opening pair responded by adding 162 runs. Tamim Iqbal once again flaunted his experience and is still retired hurt after scoring an unbeaten 133. The pair was broken by Sri Lankan bowler Fernando and within 22 runs the hosts lost 2 more wickets.
Bangladesh’s score was 3 wickets for 184 runs and it seemed that Sri Lanka was successful in hitting the center. But Liton and Rahim took the lead and lifted Bangladesh from a sudden fall of wickets after a solid start. Giving the glory of their experience, both the batsmen took Bangladesh’s score beyond 300. And still at the crease with 3 days left in the game.
