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

The second Test at Galle between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was sure to get a result as the action moved to the final day of the Test. At 268/8, the hosts had managed to take a lead of 139 runs. It was ton from Dimuth Karunaratne that kept them floating in the Test that seemed to be surprisingly going towards the Bangladeshi side. Not many had given the visitors a sniff in the series when they started the series. The first Test only strengthened such claims.

However, a turnaround performance from them saw Bangladesh finish things off in style in the historic Test. The Sri Lankans eventually bundled out for 319 and thereby setting a target of 191 for the visitors to chase. A steady and impactful start from Tamim Iqbal set the tone for the run chase as the Sri Lankan bowlers were found wanting in the match.

Later, Sabbir Rahman chipped in with a middle order contribution. Lastly, it was an unbeaten 22 from skipper Mushfiqur Rahim that ensured Bangladesh sealed the match with 4 wickets in hand. The visitors, who were playing their 100th Test, had managed to sign off in style and levelled the 2-match series 1-1.

Here are the 5 talking points from the Day 5 play:

1. Dilruwan adds crucial runs

When the hosts finished the penultimate day on 268/8, they had a lead of just 139 runs. They knew that they had to swell up the lead in a bid to keep things under control in the match. Their solitary hope for this was Dilruwan Perera. Perera responded back well too. The all-rounder, who already had a fifty to his name in this series, notched up another one in this innings.

Perera scored a fighting 50 off 174 balls as he tried to take most of the strike on the final day’s play. He hit 6 fours en route his half century. Just when things looked under control, he was involved in an unfortunate run out that saw him head back to the pavilion. Sri Lanka finished with a lead of 190 runs.

2. Shakib Al Hasan bags four-for

Bangladesh needed two wickets to bring an end to Sri Lanka’s innings on the final day. They got the first lucky breakthrough in the form of a run out that saw the set batsman Dilruwan Perera walk back on 50. With just one more wicket needed, skipper Mushfiqur handed the ball to his most experienced bowler – Shakib Al Hasan.

Shakib, who already had 3 wickets to his name in the innings, responded back in style as he got the last wicket of Suranga Lakmal to finish the Sri Lankan innings on 319. Shakib finished with figures of 4/74 in the innings. He had earlier scalped three key wickets of centurion Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne.

3. Tamim kicks off the run chase in style

With 191 to win, the visitors did fancy their chances to script history. All eyes were on hard-hitting opener Tamim Iqbal. He is known for taking away the games from the opposition with his aggressive style of play. He did not disappoint his fans this time either. The southpaw plundered 82 runs at the top order to set the tone for the run chase.

He finished with 82 off 125 balls before being dismissed by Dilruwan Perera. His knock was studded with 7 fours and a six. He certainly did assure that his job was done and Bangladesh were a sniffing distance away from the win.

4. The middle order hiccups

While Tamim Iqbal ensured a brilliant and smooth run flow from one end, Bangladeshis seemed to struggle an ideal partner for him at the other end. Soumya Sarkar, the other opener, was sent back packing cheaply on 10 by Rangana Herath. Herath then dismissed Imrul Kayes for a golden duck in the very next ball to have the visitors stutter at 22/2.

It was fighting 41 off 76 balls from Sabbir Rahman that somehow saw the visitors cruise along. His departure saw Shakib Al Hasan walk to the crease. Shakib, who had scored a century in the first innings, departed after scoring only 15. However, a steady head of Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored an unbeaten 22 to see Bangladesh win by 4 wickets.

5. The historic win

Despite regular fall of wickets, one thing that the visitors did well was to ensure the run flow at the middle. They never let the opposition contain runs and have a strangle hold on their innings. With 5 wickets down, they needed just 2 more runs to win. Mosaddek Hossain Saikat perished for some last minute drama at the venue.

Mehedi Hasan joined Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease to finish off the formalities to register a historic win for team Bangladesh in Test cricket. They were playing their 100th Test and the venue of P Sara Oval at Colombo served to be the witness of the historic moment as the Bangladeshi players ran in to celebrate their win.