Published: Feb 02, 2018, 02:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2018, 02:07 PM (IST)
Bangladesh broke the mammoth partnership between Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, sending back both batsmen before tea, Day Three of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The record partnership added 307 runs before de Silva was dismissed, while Mendis departed just before lunch. Sri Lanka are 416 for 3 at the end of second session, trailing Bangladesh by 97 runs. Roshen Silva (38*) and Dinesh Chandimal (0*) are out in the crease.
Coming back from lunch, Mustafizur Rahman broke the partnership, getting rid of a dangerous looking de Silva. De Silva attempted a pull of Mustafizur’s short ball but it comes further in to the batsman and takes the edge. Liton Das had to move a significant bit to secure the catch which ended, what can be called, Bangladesh’s nightmare. De Silva departed for 173.
Mendis then paired up with young Roshen Silva to keep the momentum going. They stitched a 107-run partnership. Mendis survived most of the second session, playing some delightful shots. He surpassed his career-best 194 but could not post his maiden double-hundred. Mendis went for a wrong shot, trying to whack a full-length outside-off stump delivery over midwicket. Mushfiqur Rahim took a stunning catch at mid on off Taijul Islam’s delivery to send Mendis back for 196.
Sri Lanka, though lost both set batsmen, added 121 runs in the session. They have 7 wickets in hand and few experienced batsmen to come out. Clearly, Sri Lanka are in the commanding position.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 513 lead Sri Lanka 416 for 3 (Kusal Mendis 196, Dhananjaya de Silva 173; Mustafizur Rahman 1 for 60, Taijul Islam 1 for 120, Mehedi Hasan 1 for 97) by 97 runs.
