The second session of day 3 of the BAN vs SL second Test 2022 was rained out. Both teams must approach the game with an aggressive mindset if they want to win the contest. If not, the game will most likely finish in a disappointing draw. Prior to the rain, Sri Lanka scored 210/4 in response to Bangladesh's 365. With only two days remaining in the match, Bangladesh must bat aggressively in their second innings in their quest to clinch the series.
The BAN vs SL Second Test Match Scenario
Bangladesh got off to a bad start in the series-deciding Test at SBNCS in Dhaka, losing five wickets for 24 runs. The hosts were guided to a dominant total of 365 owing to Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das's stunning 272-run sixth-wicket partnership.
Litton Das’s great run of form in Test cricket has continued as 141 runs came from his willow. It was Litton’s sixth fifty-plus score in 13 innings, which clearly indicates that he is enjoying the format at the moment. On the other hand, Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten with 175*.
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The biggest surprise in the first innings was the performance of the Sri Lankan pacers. Both Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando were brilliant with the ball. They picked up 9 wickets, while the other one was run out. None of the Lankan spinners got a wicket in the innings.
Trailing by 365 runs, the Sri Lankan openers made an aggressive start by putting up a 95-run partnership at 3.65 economy rates. Their positive mindset forced Bangladesh on the defense. However, Bangladesh did take a couple of wickets as Sri Lanka closed day-1 on 143/2.
Bangladesh bowled 24.1 overs in the morning session of Day 3 before the rain interrupted the play. They lost two more wickets for a total of 67 runs. Bangladesh bowlers were economical and focused on making the Sri Lankan batters work even harder. However, the second session was totally abandoned due to heavy rain.
Read BAN vs SL Second Test 2022: Mushfiqur-Litton Partnership Evaluation in Records Book
What should be Bangladesh's approach in the third innings?
With two more days left in the contest, Bangladesh's team management should reflect the scenario properly before it’s too late. The hosts need to adopt a more aggressive approach in order to overcome the visitors on day 4. Players need to raise their performance level on the field and have to show urgency to bowl Sri Lanka out as early as possible. They also can't afford to be in a position where they could lose the battle.
Sri Lanka will bat for how long? What will their ultimate score be at the end of the first innings? This will help Bangladesh in formulating a strategy for the third innings. One thing is certain: they will need to bat aggressively in order to set a challenging target for the Lankans. Furthermore, the number of overs Sri Lanka bats in the fourth innings will determine the final outcome of the BAN vs SL second Test 2022 match.
In the present match conditions, it's crucial to know the Bangladesh team's performance record in the third innings at the SBNCS, Mirpur. Bangladesh have batted eleven times in the third innings at this venue, with their best total of 312 coming against India in 2010. It was also the only occasion Bangladesh scored more than 300 runs in the third innings at Sher-e-Bangla. Bangladesh also failed to score more than 200 runs only once, against South Africa in 2008. They were all-out for 182 runs in that encounter against the Proteas national team.
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Bangladesh's top five third-innings total at SBNCS, Mirpur
|
Score |
Overs |
Opposition |
Year |
|
312 |
90.3 |
India |
2010 |
|
296 |
66.5 |
England |
2016 |
|
285 |
102 |
England |
2010 |
|
269/3 |
89 |
New Zealand |
2013 |
|
253 |
57.3 |
India |
2007 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Bottom Line
Bangladesh have never beaten Sri Lanka at home. Therefore, they have a great chance to beat the Lankans and win the series. Given the present scenario of the match, Bangladesh should adopt a positive mindset when they bat again in their second innings. Because playing safe would not put them in a position to win against Sri Lanka. However, the BAN vs SL Second Test 2022 will likely go down to the wire.
Read BAN vs SL Series 2022: Statistics Favour Spinners to be Game Changers in the Mirpur Test