Ashraful leads Bangladesh’s reply to SL’s 570

Tags: Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka 2013, Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh 1st Test at Galle - Mar 8-12, 2013, Mohammad Ashraful, Hettige Don Rumesh Lahiru Thirimanne, Lokuge Dinesh Chandimal

Published on: Mar 09, 2013

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Bangladesh looked more than promising with the bat after they had let Sri Lanka pile up a massive total of 570 for 4 declared in the First Test at Galle. The minnows batting out a little over a session today on Day 2 got to 135 for 2 in 43 overs.

By BV Swagath

Bangladesh looked more than promising with the bat after they had let Sri Lanka pile up a massive total of 570 for 4 declared in the First Test at Galle. The minnows batting out a little over a session today on Day 2 got to 135 for 2 in 43 overs. Former Skipper Mohammad Ashraful was solid against the spinners to come up with an unbeaten 65 (from 108 balls with 7 fours), Ashraful got able support from newcomer left-hander Mominul Haque who was more than impressive with his confident 35* (from 51 balls with 6 fours).

The Tigers had a couple of soft dismissals much to the relief of the Sri Lankan bowlers as the pitch at Galle looks pretty flat. Jahurul Islam (20) was caught behind gloving an attempting short pitch delivery from Shaminda Eranga. Anamul Haque, the other opener misread an Ajantha Mendis googly and got bowled through the gate trying out an expansive cover drive. Sri Lanka after having the visitors at 65 for 2 could not make any further inroads in the next 19 overs before stumps.

Early on, Sri Lanka resuming Day 2 at 361 for 3 saw Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal get their respective maiden Test hundreds. Thirimanne remained unbeaten on 155 (from 256 balls with 14 fours). Chandimal played a busy knock of 116* from 151 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes. The only Lankan wicket to fall in the day’s play was that of Angelo Mathews who played his pull shot early to a short pitch ball from Abu Hasan which stopped onto the bat to produce a leading edge.

The Bangladeshi bowling looked ordinary for the second day in a row. However, a couple of youngsters – off-spinner Sohag Gazi with marathon figures of 50-6-164-3 and speedster Abu Hasan with 1 for 112 looked competitive at this level.

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