Srilanka Bangladesh Walton Test Series 
2nd Test Played at Pallekele Stadium, Kandy, and Srilanka From 29 April -3 May 2021
Srilanka 1st Innings 291 /1 (Lahiru Thirimanne 131*, Dimuth Karunaratne 118, Oshada Fernando 40*, Shoriful Islam 1/52) 

Same venue, a different wicket , but not much different in nature and characteristic. The second test wicket at Pallekele has less grass but it also did not have much pace or bounce. No seam movement, no swing , grip or turn. Sri Lanka winning the toss had no hesitation to bat. Excepting the first hour when Taskin, Shoriful and Rahi taking advantage of new ball doing a bit teased , tormented home team openers. Couple of edges and few play and misses, Karunaratne was dropped by Shanto off the bowling of Taskin when on 28. Otherwise patient Lankan batsmen weathering the storm made it a hard grind for Bangladeshi pacers . Hot son would bake the wicket . Batting from day three may grow increasingly difficult. Advantage now to Sri Lanka after reaching 291/1 by stump of day one. Karunaratne courtesy Shanto got out scoring his second century of the series scoring 118, Thirimanne remained unbeaten on 131 and Fernando was batting on 40. Another high scoring test is on the offing unless Bangladesh cracks under pressure. 

Home team opted for two pacers and Angelo Mathhews, included three spinners seemingly expecting more purchase for the spinners. Bangladesh on the contrary stuck to three pacers and two spinners. However, they replaced Ebadat with debutant left arm pacer Shoriful Islam. The youngster did not disappoint. He took the only wicket that fell on the day. Bangladesh bowlers really bowled their hearts out on the first hour of the match. All there bowled to teasing length and line. Taskin was exceptional. Several times ball missed the edge of the bat or edges dropped short of fielders. Nazmul Santo dropped a sitter of Karunaratne when on 28. That mistake badly hurt Bangladesh as opening partnership producing 209 set up a solid launching pad for the home team. If Sri Lanka goes on producing a huge first innings score Bangladesh may struggle saving the match on this wicket expected to assist spinners on day four and five. 

We thought Bangladesh read the wicket wrong. A third spinner on this wicket could be a better option. Naeem Hasan could add value. But on day one neither Mehedy nor Taijul had any assistance. It will all depend on how Bangladesh bats against three Sri Lankan spinners in the first innings. With only 3 of the 15 sessions gone we cannot predict with assurance. If Bangladesh can take few quick wickets in the first session on day two the equation may change. Shoriful for a debutant did not disappoint. He looked like a horse for the long race complementing with Taskin. Rahi also bowled at tight length. But on such wicket Rahi type bowler has nothing. 

We must appreciate the way Sri Lanka batted. Bangladeshi bowlers really bowled well in the first session . The batsmen rode their luck a bit , remained patient , reaped great reward. Karunaratne scored 11th century, reached 5000 test runs. Before being the first test victim of Shoriful he scored 118. In the first test Karunaratne dropped Nazmul Shanto on 28. He went on scoring 163. Yesterday Shanto returned that compliment dropping him of the bowling of Taskin at 28. Thirimmane remained not out on 131 and was looking good for greater glory. 

BDST: 1137 HRS, APR 30, 2021 
SMS