Sri Lanka
Dhaka Test: Sri Lanka respond well on rain-hit day
Rain ate up more than four hours of play on day three of the ongoing Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Despite that, the visitors responded well adding 139 runs for three wickets on the day at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
At the end of day three, Sri Lanka were batting at 282 for five with Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal— the two most experienced campaigners of Sri Lanka— scoring 58 and 10 respectively.
They still are trailing by 83 runs in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings of 365 runs. While Sri Lanka will look forward to adding more runs on the board on day four, Bangladesh will have to ponder to get more wickets and give fewer runs away.
In the first session of the day, Ebadot Hossian removed the nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha for a duck, and Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s most successful bowler so far taking three wickets in this match, removed overnight half-centurion Dimuth Karunaratne who was able to add only 10 runs on day three.
READ: BAN vs SL 2nd Test 2022: Bangladesh require aggressive mindset in 3rd innings
Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva were the mainstays of Sri Lanka on the day adding more than 100 runs on the board on the fifth wicket. They made it tough for the hosts’ bowling attack to put more pressure on them.
The most exciting prospect of this match is now that the spinners started to get some bite off the surface which would make the wicket more difficult to bat in the next two days. And so the match could see a result unlike the first Test in Chattogram.
In the first innings of the match, Bangladesh posted 365 despite six of their batters failing to score anything.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das came up to rescue the hosts adding 282 runs on the board in the sixth wicket stand— the highest in history after losing five under 25 runs.
This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh played seven matches in this prestigious event and won only a match against New Zealand early this year.
Dhaka Test: Sri Lanka go to lunch at 210/4
Ebadot Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan bagged one wicket each in the first session of day 3 of the Dhaka Test.
Sri Lanka went to lunch at 210 for four, just as showers began. Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva were at the crease with 25 and 30 runs, respectively.
The visitors are trailing by 155 runs in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings of 365.
Bangladesh won the toss in this match and batted first. Six of their batters failed to score anything on the board. But Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das put up a stand of 272 runs with a century each that guided the Tigers to a challenging total.
Also read:Dhaka Test: Bangladesh end first innings on 365
Liton fell for 141 but Mushfiqur remained unbeaten for 175.
For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha bagged five wickets — his maiden five-wicket haul in the format
Also read:Day 2 of Dhaka Test: Liton, Mosaddek depart early
Dhaka Test: Sri Lanka trail by 222 after day 2
Sri Lanka are trailing by 222 runs at the end of day two of Dhaka Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The visitors were batting at 143 for two in 46 overs with Dimuth Karunaratne batting at 70 and the nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha remaining not out for zero.
In reply to Bangladesh’s first inning total of 365, Sri Lanka made a good start as both the openers— Oshada Fernando and Karunaratne— hit a fifty each. Oshada was going well but a wonderful catch at the slip by Najmul Hossain Shanto sent him back. Ebadot Hossain got the first wicket.
Also read:Dhaka Test: Bangladesh end first innings on 365
Kusal Mendis was removed by Shakib Al Hasan for 11. It was a straight delivery from Shakib. After the ball hit his pads, Kusal did not even bother to call for a review. He just started to walk off the field.
Early wickets dent Bangladesh in Dhaka Test
Sri Lanka put their best foot forward to earn an early advantage in the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh taking five wickets inside seven overs on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
After seven overs of the innings, Bangladesh were batting at 24 for five. Kasun Rajitha bagged three and Asitha Fernando scalped two.
Also read:Bangladesh opt to bat first in Dhaka Test vs Sri Lanka
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the right-handed opener, who had a fifty in the first match in Chattogram was bowled out for a duck in the very first over by Kasun Rajitha, and in the next over, Tamim Iqbal went back for a duck as well falling victim to Asitha Fernando.
After them, Shakib Al Hasan also suffered a duck off the first ball he faced.
There was a gap between bat and pad of Mahmudul when an angled delivery came in from wide on the crease and shattered his stumps.
And it was a length delivery for Tamim around the middle and off, Tamim tried to prod it to the leg side but only managed a thick edge to the point area where Praveen Jayawickrama took an easy catch to dismiss him.
Also read:Mominul eyes series win as Dhaka Test begins Monday
After the openers, captain Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto also went back scoring 9 and 8 respectively.
First Test of this series ended up in a draw in Chattogram where Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim hit a ton each while Angelo Mathews also hit an outstanding 199 for the visitors.
Bangladesh opt to bat first in Dhaka Test vs Sri Lanka
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in the second Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh made two changes to the playing XI— including Mosaddek Hossain and Ebadot Hossain to replace Nayeem Hasan and Shoriful Islam, who were out due to injuries.
Also read:Mominul eyes series win as Dhaka Test begins Monday
The first Test of the series ended up in a draw in Chattogram where Angelo Mathews was the best performer scoring 199 while Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim also hit a century each for Bangladesh.
Nayeem bagged six wickets for the Tigers— his best in the format. But unfortunately, he got a blow on his finger and was ruled out of this series.
Mominul eyes series win as Dhaka Test begins Monday
Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque said they will do whatever it takes to win the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka as the second and final match begins Monday in Dhaka.
The first Test ended in a draw after the Lankan Lions held on to force a draw on the last day in Chattogram.
Also read: Sri Lanka hold firm to end Chattogram Test in a draw
Mushfiqur Rahim and Nayeem Hasan did well for the hosts while Angelo Mathews, who scored 199 and won the player of the match award, led the visitors on a pitch that offered little to produce a result.
But the wickets in Dhaka are known for producing results in Tests. Of 22 Tests in Dhaka, 19 ended with a result. So, the chance of getting a result in Dhaka is high, believes the Bangladesh skipper.
"We saw only a few matches without a result in Mirpur," Mominul said. "It's hard to remember when I did not see a result here. But to win a match, we have to play well and need to have a great plan."
Bangladesh will miss the service of Shoriful Islam and Nayeem in this match. Both sustained injuries in the first match and were subsequently ruled out of Dhaka Test, and they are also doubtful for Bangladesh's next tour to West Indies for a two-match Test, three-match ODI and three-match T20I series.
Their absence might pave the way for Ebadot Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat in the Dhaka Test.
"Ebadot might get a chance, and it would be great for him," the Bangladesh captain said.
"Mosaddek might play in this Test; he has a good chance to be in the playing XI. Shakib (Al Hasan) did well in the last match, and Nayeem (Hasan) has been one of our best batters in the format for the last few years. If Mosaddek plays in this match, he might have a different role."
Also read:Shoriful ruled out of second Test vs Sri Lanka
This series is a part of the ongoing cycle of the ICC Test Championship. Bangladesh played seven Tests in this event and won only one early this year against New Zealand.
Earlier, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka locked horns in three Tests at Sher-e-Bangla, and the Lankans won all the matches.
Sri Lanka closes schools, limits work amid fuel shortage
Sri Lankan authorities on Friday closed schools and asked public officials not to come to work in a desperate move to prepare for an acute fuel shortage that is expected to last days amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
The Public Administration Ministry asked the public officials — except for those who maintain essential services — not to come to work on Friday “in a view of current fuel shortage and issues in transport facilities” across the country.
Also read: Sri Lankan power family falls from grace as economy tanks
State- and government-approved private schools also closed Friday amid the worsening fuel shortage, with thousands of people waiting in queues at fuel stations across the country for days at a time.
Sri Lanka is now almost without gasoline and faces an acute shortage of other fuels as well.
The government has been struggling to find money to pay for the importation of fuel, gas and other essentials in recent months as the Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests and unrest.
For months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy those essentials, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation.
Protesters blocked main roads to demand gas and fuel, and television stations showed people in some areas fighting over limited stocks.
Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts of up to four hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.
Also read: Ranil Wickremesinghe takes oath as Sri Lanka's PM
Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president’s office for more than a month, calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign.
Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once-powerful ruling family, with one of the president’s brothers resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.
Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Monday that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion.
Attacks by Rajapaksa’s supporters on protesters last week sparked nationwide violence that left nine people — including a lawmaker — dead, and more than 200 injured. Homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burned down.
Shoriful ruled out of second Test vs Sri Lanka
Left-arm Bangladesh pace bowler Shoriful Islam has been ruled out of the second Test against Sri Lanka due to a hand injury, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed.
The second Test begins in Dhaka on May 23.
Also read:Chattogram Test: Bangladesh in driving seat
Shoriful had been struck on his right hand while batting on the fourth day of the ongoing Chattogram Test. An X-ray has confirmed a fracture which could keep him out of action for around four to five weeks.
“Shoriful had a contusion of the right hand while batting. After the fourth day’s play an X-ray was carried out, which has revealed a fracture on the base of the 5th metacarpal bone,” National team physio Bayjedul Islam said.
Also read:Ctg test: Bangladesh declare ensuring a 68-run lead
“Such injuries tend to take around three weeks to heal, followed by a couple of week’s rehab. He will not be available to play for four to five weeks,” he added.
Ctg test: Bangladesh declare ensuring a 68-run lead
Ensuring a 68-run lead in the first innings, Bangladesh declared their first innings of the Chattogram Test on 465 for nine in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 397.
To end day four, Sri Lanka will have around 24 overs to play.
Also read:5000 Test Runs: Foremost Cricketers to Reach the Milestone From Respective Teams
After Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiur Rahim also hit a century in Bangladesh’s first innings. Along the way, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi batter to have scored 5,000 runs in Test cricket.
It was Mushfiqur’s eighth century in the format and first after 18 innings. He notched up his last ton before this in 2020 against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.
Bangladesh did not lose any wicket in the first session of day four, but off the first over of the second session, the hosts lost two wickets— Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal with the latter resumed his innings after lunch of day four. Tamim had left the field on day three with a cramped right hand.
Bangladesh batted in a slow manner which actually was an attempt to ensure that they would not lose this match from this stage.
For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha bagged four wickets conceding 60 runs while Asitha Fernando took three.
Also read:Bangladesh tighten grip on Ctg Test
Earlier, Sri Lanka ended their first innings at 397 with an outstanding 199 by Angelo Mathews.
For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan bagged six wickets in the first innings which is now the best bowling innings by him in the format. It was the third five-for for the right-handed spinner.
Mushfiqur, Liton grind Sri Lanka after Tamim’s ton
Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das hit fifty each in the Chattogram Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
At the end of day three, Bangladesh were batting at 318 for three in 107 overs with Mushfiqur and Liton remaining unbeaten for 53 and 54 respectively.
Also read:Nayeem shines with 6 wickets to deprive Mathews of double ton
Tamim and Mahmudul started the day well but after the departure of Mahmudul, Bangladesh lost Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque in quick succession. Najmul scored 1 while Mominul posted 2.
It was Mominul’s seventh single-digit score in the last 10 innings in Tests.
Before Mushfiqur and Liton scored a fifty each, Tamim Iqbal smashed his 10th century in Test, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy hit a fifty.
Mahmudul fell for 58, but Tamim continued to put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowler. However, the left-handed batter eventually left the field with a cramp on his right hand. He was at 133.
In the fourth wicket stand, Mushfiqur and Liton added 98 runs and both of them remained unbeaten.
Also read:Sri Lanka continue to thrive as Nayeem fights back taking 4
For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha scalped two wickets while Asitha Fernando took a wicket.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 397 in their first innings riding on an outstanding 199 by Angelow Mathews. Along with him, Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal hit a fifty each.
For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan, the right-arm spinner, bagged six wickets conceding 105 runs— his best in the format. Shakib Al Hasan bagged three while Taijul Islam took one wicket.