Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka Joy Bangla Cup at Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka 

Scorecard at Stumps on Day Three 

Sri Lanka 494 All Out ( BKG Mendis 194, DAS Gunaratne 85, N Dickwella 75,  NDK Perera 51, Mehedi Miraz 4/113, Mustafizur Rahman 2/68)

Bangladesh 312 All Out (Mushfiqur Rahim 85, Soumya Sarkar 71, Tamim Iqbal 57, Mehedi Miraz 41, NDK Perera 3/52, HMRKB Herath 3/72)

DHAKA: Three days into Galle test. Bangladesh are already on the backfoot as teams complete the first innings. Bangladesh trails Sri Lanka by 182 runs. If rain did not come on the way things could be still worse for Bangladesh as a complete session was washed out.

If looked back in retrospect Bangladesh can only blame them for where they are. True the wicket became a bit different from what it was on the first and the second day yet it was by no means a batsmen’s graveyard. Wicket turned but turned slowly. If others could bat with patience and commitment that Mushfique and Miraz showed.

Early middle order batsmen did not apply properly and looked panicked. Tamim and Soumya laid a solid foundation with a 118 runs opening stand. Suddenly Tamim’s brain freeze. Perhaps he even cannot explain what made him trying for a run when the ball was in the keeper’s gloves. If that did not happen Bangladesh might not have exposed Mominul playing at dusk of day two and losing his wicket. Bangladesh at stumps on day two was 133/2.

Lot was expected from very strong and experienced middle order batsmen on the third day. But Soumya, Shakib, Mahmudullah and Liton left one by one failing to apply them. From 133/2 Bangladesh reduced to 6/192 raising apprehension for following on. Mushfique saw the dressing room-bound procession of his mates. He was left with only young Mehedi Miraz as the last recognized batsman. The top dog of Bangladesh cricket shouldered the team and with Miraz proving equal to the task set about the rescue mission. It was not an easy task. Wicket slowed considerably and started turning.

The three-pronged spin attack spearheaded by Herath continuously teased both. Mushfique and Miraz looked solid in defense. They also punished any loose delivery. 106 runs in the 7th wicket partnership rescued Bangladesh from total disaster and led Bangladesh avoiding the follow-on. But once Mehedi was ruled LBW to Perera, Bangladesh tail was consumed in no time. Mushfique could not keep his cool. He lost patience. Trying to loft Herath over the top, he danced down the wicket only to see him beaten by the flight and hearing the dreadful sound from behind the back. Bangladesh got all out 312 still 182 runs in arrears.

How can one explain the manner in which much hyped Bangladesh middle order batting collapsed on not too difficult wicket? Shakib has played a lot of cricket in different countries not to try and play the same stroke that gets him out too often. Mahmudullah has issues with his defense. If he fails again in the second innings, it will be better trying talented youngster Mosaddek in his place in the second test. Soumya was playing a charmed life in any case. Still, he produced 71. He must avoid playing too many strokes away from his body. Why not Bangladeshi batsmen learn a lesson or two from the batting of their captain Mushfique? Credit must also go to young Miraz. Innings after innings his batting has started flowering.

Sri Lanka bowling looked threatening. Off-spinner Perera and left-arm spinner, Herath equally shared six wickets among themselves. Bangladesh, however, could successfully decode the Chinaman of Sandakan. Finally, the rain came to some comfort of Bangladesh.

Judging from the state of the match, it is only rain that seems critical for Bangladesh saving them in the test. Sri Lanka may add quick 150-200 runs and go all out to crush Bangladesh. The visitors would only look back of previous Galle test. They have Mushfique the hero there. But who will play the role of Mohammad Ashraful and Nasir Hossain? 

If Rain does not cause too many interruption Bangladesh will need creating history when they bat second time to salvage some pride out of the test. Senior batsmen must show the way. It sounds comical to see the Bangladeshi middle order struggling when Naeem Islam, Shahriar Nafees, and Tushar Imran keep scoring centuries and double centuries in domestic cricket.

BDST: 0950 HRS, MAR 10, 2017
SR