In the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh held in Chattogram, Sri Lanka showcased a dominant batting display, concluding the first day’s play with a commanding score of 314/4.
After their resounding victory in Sylhet, Dhananjaya de Silva, captaining Sri Lanka, opted to bat first upon winning the toss, aiming to capitalize on favorable conditions.
The Sri Lankan opening pair laid a strong foundation, with their partnership reaching 96 runs before facing the first setback with the dismissal of Nishan Madushka, who contributed a commendable 57 runs before being run out.
However, Sri Lanka maintained their momentum, buoyed by substantial innings from Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis. Karunaratne displayed his class with a composed knock of 86 runs, while Mendis fell short of a century by seven runs, scoring a crucial 93.
Despite narrowly missing out on individual landmarks, Karunaratne and Mendis played pivotal roles in guiding Sri Lanka to a formidable position by the close of play on day one. Their contributions ensured that Sri Lanka’s innings progressed steadily, even as Bangladesh’s bowlers toiled in search of breakthroughs.
Reflecting on his team’s performance at the end of the day’s play, Karunaratne expressed satisfaction with their batting efforts, particularly emphasizing the importance of surpassing the 300-run mark. He noted the challenges posed by the pitch, highlighting its tendency to provide assistance to the bowlers, especially in the initial stages of the match.
In addition to acknowledging the testing conditions, Karunaratne praised the emerging talent within the Bangladesh bowling attack, singling out Hasan Mahmud for his impressive performance. Mahmud, claiming 2 wickets for 64 runs, posed a significant threat to Sri Lanka’s top order, showcasing his potential as a future star.
Sri Lanka aims to capitalize on their strong start and build on their lead in the two-Test series, which holds significance as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
With their comprehensive victory in the first Test, Sri Lanka seeks to maintain their momentum and secure another triumph against the hosts, further solidifying their position in the tournament standings.
As the match progresses, both teams are poised for an intense battle, with Sri Lanka aiming to consolidate their dominance and Bangladesh striving for a comeback to level the series.
