Sri Lanka Bangladesh Test Series 
1st Test Played at Pallekele Stadium, Kandy 
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Four 

Bangladesh 541/7 Declared (Nazmul Hossain Shanto 163, Mominul Haq 127, Tamim Iqbal 90, Mushfiqur Rahim 68*, Liton K Das 50, Viswa Fernando 4/96) 
Srilanka 522/3 (Dimuth Karunaratne 234*, Dhananjaya de Silva 154*, Taskin Ahmed 1/91, Mehedi Miraj 1/123, Taijul Islam 1/136) 
Sri Lanka trails by 19 runs with 7 wickets at hand

The wicket may be dead, may not be assisting either pacers or spinners but unbeaten scores of 234 and 154 by Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva must be considered outstanding performance. These two talented batsmen showing great patience and commitment batted through entire fourth day producing unbroken 322 runs 4th wicket partnership. If they continue batting today, they will set some new milestones. Their great performance not only saved Sri Lanka but also has created an outside chance of a dramatic end of the chance although looking highly unlikely. 

The wicket is dead. The only comparison of this Pallelkele stadium may be the Premadasa stadium of 1997 where Sri Lanka created the world record of 952/ 6. 

It is unimaginable that in modern days such wicket is prepared for a test match. The wicket neither has pace, nor bounces, not even any turn. It did not assist traditional swing nor assisted for reverse swing. In one word bowlers graveyard. On this wicket 2 wickets fell on day one, two on day two, six on day three and none on day four. If Bangladesh batting does not implode in the second innings this test is definitely heading for a draw. It will depend on how long Sri Lanka bats on day five. One hour batting can get them way past Bangladesh score. Declaring the innings closed Sri Lanka can try getting Bangladesh all out quickly for a improbable win. But we do not think Bangladesh would crack on such a surface though there are past proven records of Bangladesh failing.

Forgetting all these we must give due credit to Sri Lankan Captain Dimuth Karunaratne (234*) and Dhananjaya se Silva (154*) for their outstanding batting in their unbroken 322 runs 4th wicket partnership. Starting day four at 229/3 they spent a wicket less day four adding another 293 runs. Does not matter what is the quality of surface or how Bangladeshi bowlers bowled, no words are enough for praising the concentration, technique and temperament of the two Sri Lankans. They not only saved their team for a possible humiliation but also created for them an opportunity for putting pressure on Bangladesh. In his marathon innings 419 balls Karunaratne has struck 25 boundaries. Dhananjaya in his 278 balls stay struck 20 boundaries.

We must not judge the performance of Bangladesh bowlers on such a dead surface. Taskin bowled his hearts out yet again creating few half chances. Mehedi Miraj and Taijul Islam toiled all day. Absence of Shakib was felt. But cannot say that even he could make much difference. 

If test cricket does not unfold any drama the match is heading for a tame draw. Hope the next match on the same ground would be played on a better surface. Home teams prepare wickets to suit their strength. Their target is always trying to win matches. Irrespective of what happens in this test today the nature of the wicket will definitely come under scrutiny.

BDST: 1130 HRS, APR 25, 2021
SMS