Visiting Sri Lanka produced a dominant batting display on day three as well as they posted 504 runs on the board losing just three wickets against host Bangladesh during their first Test match of the Rocket series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium in the port city Friday.
The Lankans are now just nine runs behind the Tigers’ first innings tally and the former are in a better position compared to the latter as they have seven more wickets in hand. Roshen Silva was unbeaten on 87 while captain Dinesh Chandimal was not out on 37.
It was a frustrating day for the Bangladesh bowlers as they managed to pick up only two wickets throughout the whole day. Two crucial chances went begging, one by Mehedi Hasan Miraz at second slip and one a missed stumping chance by Liton Das.
Sri Lanka started the day on 187/1 in 48 overs. Mustafizur Rahman started the day’s proceeding in impressive fashion as he bowled a tight line and length in the first few overs. He even created a chance against Kusal Mendis but it went in vain. Miraz dropped the catch while diving to his left. Mendis was batting on 83 then and later, he piled more misery on Bangladesh.
Both the overnight batsmen Dhananjaya de Silva and Mendis started scoring freely in the morning session, just the way they batted on day two. These two remained undefeated in the first session. By this time, Mendis scored the fourth Test hundred of his career.
The Tigers made the long awaited breakthrough in the 83rd over as Mustafizur bagged the wicket of the right-handed batsman. Dhananjaya registered the highest score of his Test career, making 173 off 229 balls with 21 boundaries and a six.
Wicket-keeper Liton missed a chance to stump out new batsman Roshen when he was batting on just two. The right-hander finished the day on 87 not out, causing more regrets in the Bangladesh camp.
Mendis socred 196 in the end, and yet again missed the golden chance of scoring a double century against Bangladesh. He also scored 194 against the same opposition in March last year. This time around, just when he was looking confident to reach the 200-mark, he suddenly tried to clear the boundary against Taijul Islam in the 105th over and got a top edge. Mushfiqur Rahim started running from the mid on region and brilliantly caught the ball at long on to give Bangladesh the second breakthrough of the day. Mendis’ magnificent innings was composed with 22 boundaries and two sixes.
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