Twitter Reactions: Tamim Iqbal’s fifty rounds off opening Test draw between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Rain washed off play in the third and final session of the fifth day.

Published - 25 Apr 2021, 17:37 IST | Updated - 25 Apr 2021, 17:37 IST

2 Min Read

After four days of a run-scoring spree, the opening Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw. In reply to the visitors’ 541 for seven declared, Dimuth Karunaratne and Co churned out 648 for eight declared. Thereafter in the final session, rain interrupted play and brought the curtains down on the game. The bowlers would be relieved to take a break after five tough days of cricket.

Taskin Ahmed bowls a fiery spell

The Lankans opened proceedings with a lead of 29 and with Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva as the overnight batters. Taskin Ahmed bowled his heart and got rid of both the batsmen in a space of 12 balls. Karunaratne notched 244 runs with 26 fours even as De Silva mustered a 191-ball 166 with 22 fours.

Soon after, Ebadot Hossain picked his first wicket in the form of Pathum Nissanka. Niroshan Dickwella looked fluent in his 33-ball 31 before he fell prey to a run-out after a mix-up with Wanindu Hasaranga.

The left-hander hit three fours and played at a strike rate of 93.93. Hasaranga couldn’t get a wicket but scored 43 runs with three fours. Suranga Lakmal also contributed with 22 runs off 31 balls. In the end, the home team declared with a massive lead of 107 runs.

Tamim Iqbal comes to the party

Bangladesh had some jitters at the start of their run-chase. Suranga Lakmal reduced the Tigers to 27 for two in the seventh over. Saif Hassan’s disastrous game came to an end after he followed up his duck with a single.

Najmul Hossain Shanto couldn’t replicate his show from the first innings and got out for an eight-ball duck. However, Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque steadied the ship. Tamim made 90 in the first innings and he racked up back-to-back half-centuries off a mere 56 balls.

The left-hander stayed unbeaten on 74 off 98 balls and his knock was laced with 10 fours and three sixes. Had it not for the rain interruption, the southpaw could have gotten a Test ton. Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh skipper, looked determined and remained not out on 23 off 86 balls.

Here’s how the netizens reacted:

Definite positives to take from this first test. And definite negatives that need to be worked on. But overall, a valiant effort from Bangladesh :') #SLvBAN #SLvsBAN
— ɴᴀғᴇᴇ (@ringofnostalgia) April 25, 2021

Tamim Iqbal, how unfortunate he is man!! Played so fluently & deserved hundred in both the innings.
What a scene that would be seeing Tamim reach three figures twice in a test match!!#SLvBAN
— Mahi (@Mahi_1732001) April 25, 2021

Tamim Iqbal (74*) ensures Bangladesh have no further hiccups as he helps Bangladesh reach 100/2, before rain has the final say.
The 1st Test is (unsurprisingly) drawn – ending a 28-match streak of results in Sri Lanka. Here's hoping the pitch is spicier next week!#SLvBAN #lk
— Haansi Putuwa Pundit (@HaansiPutuwa) April 25, 2021

Feel sad for Saif, he failed in this flat wicket.Mominul, Shanto,played well in 1st innings, Mushfiq got fifty but not as situation demands, Litton was good . Except Taskin don't find anyone effective with ball. Even in this draw match Sri Lanka did well than Bangladesh.#SLvBAN
— Nasreen🧕🇧🇩 (@NA__SR__EEN3) April 25, 2021

Had it not for the rain interruption, Tamim Iqbal could well have made amends and scored a century in the second innings against Sri Lanka after his 90 in the first. Anyways, a 98-ball 74* oozed class. #SLvBAN #SLvsBAN #Bangladesh @BCBtigers
— Sabyasachi Chowdhury (@sabya0912) April 25, 2021

Meanwhile, rain ends one of the most boring and meaningless test matches in recent times at Pallekele. No prizes for guessing the result. #SLvBAN #Cricket
— Indiranagar Ka Gunda 😷 (stay home) (@Switch_hitt) April 25, 2021

And that's it. The umpires call off the game due to rain pushing back on the grounds.
MATCH DRAWN 🤝
#SLvBAN
— Prabath🇱🇰 (@Prabathkv96) April 25, 2021

The first #SLvBAN Test has ended in a draw
Would expect the ICC to have something to say about this pitch
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) April 25, 2021