When the day three of the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended, the visitors were well-placed at 368/4, looking to easily surpass the first innings total of 495. But then all-rounder Nayeem Hasan came up with a spell to remember (5/121), to bundle out the Lankans for 485, 10 runs short of BAN total.
Bangladesh bowlers curtail Sri Lanka batters
A 10-run lead, however inconsequential, gave Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team the much-needed confidence to score at a decent rate. So, by the time the fourth day got over, the hosts piled on 177/3 in 57 overs, with an overall lead of 187. Opener Shadman Islam went on to score 76 from 126, while Shanto remained unbeaten on 56, along with Mushfiqur Rahim at 22.
With just 90 overs left in the match, it looks like a 90% draw, and 10% in the favour of the hosts. To increase the %, they will have to look to get to 250 asap, and then hope for a miracle by the spinners on the final day. It’s not impossible, but then gutsy decisions will have to come for the skipper.
Still some hope for a win left
Nonetheless, it was a tired bowling performance by the Lankan team on the fourth day, where they leaked a few runs. Asitha Fernando returned with figures of 0/31 in 8 overs, while Tharindu Ratnayake returned with figures of 1/51. In short, there wasn’t much to pick in the clash, once the Sri Lanka team was bundled out.
