Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 1st Test, Day 2 - 5 Talking Points

Taking over from their overnight score of 321 for 4 with Mendis playing on 166 Not Out, Sri Lanka put a mammoth total on board falling just 6 run short of 500-run mark. Mendis played brilliantly throughout the innings scoring a well-crafted 194 off 285 balls with 19 hits to the fence and four sixes. He got ample support from the all-rounder Gunaratne adding a mammoth 296-run for the fourth wicket.

Mendis batted superbly with the lower order batsman Dickwella as well adding precious 100 more runs to the scoreboard. Interestingly, Sri Lanka’s lower order batsmen also contributed well with the bat.

Dilruwan Perera (51) played well before Mehedi Hasan dismissed him LBW at the 128.5^th over as Sri Lanka lost their ninth wicket on 494. Soon, they were bowled out for 494 in the first innings. At stumps on 1^st test, Day 2: Bangladesh are playing on 133/2 after 44 overs in the first innings.

Here are the 5 talking points of the day:

#1) Kusal Mendis Missing a Double Ton:

Kusal Mendis got out just when he was six-run short of his maiden double century. He played brilliantly yesterday, and added a vital 28 runs today before getting caught by Tamim off Mehedi Hasan when he tried to hit the off-spinner for a big six. Mendis got a life when he pulled Roy to Mustafizur, but the ball came to hand only when the fielder stepped on the rope – it was declared six. He tried hitting another maximum on 194 but Tamim made no mistake in the deep to dismiss him.

#2) Mehedi Hasan Shines:

There is something special in the young off-spinner Mehedi Hasan. He bowled brilliantly on day 1 and day 2 chipping in four crucial Lankan wickets for 113. His turns and flights definitely troubled the Lankan team. All well-set batsmen today; Mendis, Perera and Dickwella got out after misjudging his off-spin deliveries.

#3) Nirosha Dickewella’s Batting:

Dickewalla played almost like a one-day hitting almost a fiery run-a-ball 75 off 76 balls with 6 fours and one six. The southpaw entertained the crowd with a variety of shots that he exhibited in his blitzkrieg knock. His whipping six and reverse sweep, the two unusual shots from Dickwella’s bat grabbed maximum attention today. However, his attempted six off Mehedi Hasan in the last ball of the 110^th over proved costly as Mahmudullah caught him out at the short third man region.

#4) Perera’s Half-Century:

Offie Perera was batting at his best today. Countering Mehedi Hasan’s unplayable deliveries with doubles and boundaries, the Lankan off-spinner was doing a commendable job for the team down the order. Batting at number seven, Perera showed an amazing batting skill sticking to his wicket for a quite some time while contributing to his side well. He scored a fine 51-run knock off 77 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. Eventually, Hasan had the last laugh as the Bangla spinner dismissed him LBW.

#5) Bangladesh Opening Stand:

Luck was on Bangladesh’s side today. First, Sarkar survived when Perera put down a simple catch off Lakmal. And then again Dickwella couldn’t grab an easy chance to send Tamim back to pavilion. Though, Iqbal got out after scoring 67, but by then both openers had already added 118 runs to the board for the 1^st wicket. At stumps, Bangladesh are playing for 133 for 2 and trailing Lanka by 361 runs.