The scenic and tranquil backdrop of the BKSP did not provide the much-needed time in the middle in Bangladeshi conditions that the Sri Lankans had sought on the first day of their two-day practice match against Bangladesh XI yesterday.
Incessant rain from the afternoon saw nearly the entirety of the first day’s play called off, with only 38 minutes of play possible before rain hit. There were precursors ahead of the start of play at 10:00am, but when play started on time, there was hope in the Lankan camp in particular about a full day’s play.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne had joined Asitha Fernando to open the innings and the visitors faced four overs each from Abu Jayed Rahi and Mukidul Islam Mugdho. Karunaratne did not get much of an opportunity to bat, falling to Mukidul after scoring two before rain hit after 8.3 overs with Sri Lanka at 14 for one. Another delivery was not bowled in the day.
While the umpires took an early lunch to counter the loss of time, the light drizzle soon gave way to heavy rain. Before play was called off, Karunaratne and Angelo Matthews headed to the indoor nets, batting batted against spin, in particular against left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, who had been the destroyer-in-chief the last time Bangladesh played Sri Lanka in Tests.
While coach Mizanur Rahman rued the fact that the Bangladesh XI, consisting of some of the country’s promising youngsters, did not get an opportunity to display their talents, selectors worried about weather leading up to the first Test in Chattogram.
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