Published: Mar 13, 2017, 02:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 13, 2017, 02:40 PM (IST)
Bangladesh have dropped batsman Mahmudullah Riyad from their squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, a senior cricket official said on Monday. Going into their 100th Test match on Wednesday at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium, Bangladesh are trailing the hosts 0-1 in a two-match series after last week’s crushing 259-run loss at Galle. The 31-year-old has scored only one half-century in last seven Tests. Opening batsman Imrul Kayes has already joined the squad in Colombo as a replacement. Imrul missed the last three Tests -– respectively against New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka — because of a hamstring injury. Full Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Colombo
“Mahmudullah is coming back home before the second Test as he is struggling with form,” chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board Minhajul Abedin told AFP. “A fast bowler will also return though we have not decided yet who he should be,” he said.
Mahmudullah, who has played 33 Test matches since his debut against the West Indies in 2007, scored 8 and 0 in the two innings at Galle.
In the series opener, Sri Lanka won at Galle by 259 runs. The hosts were on top of their game, first gaining a massive lead of 456 runs after the third innings and later running through the Bangladesh line-up, not letting them build any big partnership to get the runs needed. Captain Rangana Herath emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the match with 9 wickets while Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis were the two most successful with the bat. This is Sri Lanka’s 15th victory in 17 matches against Bangladesh and they maintain their unbeaten streak as well.
