SL in Ban: Twin tons and bowlers bang Bangladesh

In another exhibition of pure power of staying and playing, Angelo Mathews hit his second century (145) and well-supported by Dinesh Chandimal, also scoring a 124, and their bowlers leaving Bangladesh in a bit of a mess at day four close in the second test, today.  

After their batters delivered the deeds by collecting a first innings lead, which is cleared by 34 and stands now at 107, the mantle was on to the bowlers to complement the job. Accordingly, Asitha Fernando continued his form accounting for two of the four wickets to fall.

The hosts, at Mirpur, when stumps were drawn were in early trouble losing four for 34.

But for the bulk of the day, it was the 199 stand between the two past captains – Mathews and Chandimal. It was eventful as the former is finding form ahead of the all-important Australian tour around-the-corner, and latter too made use of the batting-friendly conditions to bring up 12^th hundred after four-years.

Fate vs Fight

Veteran Mathews, after fate having the final say in being cruelly dismissed for 199 in the opening test, took his time in his nervous-nineties. After a couple of attempts to reach the triple figure mark, he finally did so, then too, with a slight mix up.

However, eventually, the tour’s highest run-getter breathed a sigh of relief with a wide smile.

After their partnership ended, the right-hander also had to fight against running out of partners to have another crack at 200. However, he only stood stranded in 145.  

Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers for five for 96.

Chief scores:

Ban: 365 all out (116.2) (Mushfiqur Rahim 175 n.o., Litton Das 141, Kasun Rajitha 5/64, Asitha Fernando 4/93) and 34 for 4 (13) (Asitha Fernando 2/12)

SL: 506 all out (165.1) (Angelo Mathews 145*, Dinesh Chandim 124 Oshada Fernando 57, Dimuth Karunaratne 80, Shakib Al Hasan 5/96, Ebadot Hossain 4/148)