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Commentary (Bangladesh innings)
81.6 de Silva to Mahmudullah, FOUR. 279/4
81.5 de Silva to Das, 1 run. 275/4
81.4 de Silva to Das, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. 274/4
81.3 de Silva to L Das, FOUR! Lovely shot. Loopy ball outside off, Das gets to the pitch of the ball with a stride forward and drives it through covers. The ball speeds away to the fence. The lead is now three quarters of a century. 274/4
81.2 de Silva to Das, Floated outside off, kept out off the back foot. 270/4
81.1 de Silva to Das, Flatter down the leg side, Liton lets it be. 270/4
A mini-conference in the middle. Herath, Chandimal and Lakmal stand at de Silva's bowling mark and have some thoughts exchanged. Dhananjaya will continue.
80.6 R Herath to Mahmudullah, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 270/4
80.5 R Herath to Mahmudullah, Could have been fatal! Mahmudullah pushes it towards covers and races down for a run. However, his partner didn't move an inch, seeing the fielder rush to the ball. However, Sandakan, the man there, failed to collect the ball in a go and return the throw and the home side skipper gets back in safely. 270/4
80.4 R Herath to Das, Floated outside off, eased through covers for one. 270/4
80.3 R Herath to Das, Flatter on the stumps, pushed to mid-wicket. 269/4
80.2 R Herath to Das, Defended off the front foot towards covers. 269/4
80.1 R Herath to Mahmudullah, Flatter on off, pushed towards covers for a single. 269/4
The fourth umpire comes running on to the field to give the SECOND NEW BALL to the on-field umpires. Yes, Sri Lanka opt for it straightaway and Rangana Herath will have the first go with it.
79.6 de Silva to Das, Driven towards the mid on region. 268/4
79.5 de Silva to L Das, Hit to the man at mid on. 268/4
Remember, the second new ball will be due at the end of this over.
79.4 de Silva to Mahmudullah, Pushed towards wide mid off for a single. 268/4
79.3 de Silva to Das, De Silva comes round the wicket and delivers it around middle and leg, eased down to long on for a single. 267/4
79.2 de Silva to Mahmudullah, This ball is driven towards mid on for a single. 266/4
79.1 de Silva to Mahmudullah, Looped up around off and middle, pushed back towards the bowler. 265/4
78.6 D Perera to Das, Flatter outside off, left alone. 265/4
78.5 D Perera to Mahmudullah, Mahmudullah pats it towards covers and gets to the other end. 265/4
78.4 D Perera to Das, Served outside off, cut away through point for one. 264/4
78.3 D Perera to Das, Punched off the back foot towards covers. 263/4
78.2 D Perera to Das, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 263/4
78.1 D Perera to Das, Around off, turning in a touch, defended off the back foot. 263/4
77.6 de Silva to Mahmudullah, This ball is guided past point to get off the mark with a brace. 263/4
77.5 de Silva to Mahmudullah, Mahmudullah lunges and blocks. 261/4
77.4 de Silva to Mahmudullah, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 261/4
77.3 de Silva to Mahmudullah, Around off and middle, defended from the crease. 261/4
77.2 de Silva to Haque, OUT! The magnum opus Test match with the bat ends for Mominul Haque! Gets an almost unplayable delivery for his downfall. De Silva loops it up nicely outside off, the angle is such that the southpaw has to play that. Mominul lunges and defends but the ball turns away just a touch to grab the outside edge. Now for the other part of this dismissal. The ball passes close past the keeper's gloves. Karunaratne is alert at first slip and swoops quickly to his right and takes that with a dive. Terrific catch that. The visitors leap up in celebration as they know the value of this scalp. Take a bow, Haque. What a game he has played! Top class. He walked in when his side were 148 runs behind, walks out with his side 61 ahead. 261/4
77.1 de Silva to Haque, Flatter outside off, pushed towards backward point for nothing. 261/3
76.6 D Perera to Das, Around middle, turned to mid-wicket. 261/3
76.5 D Perera to Haque, Flatter and shorter outside off, slapped to deep point for one. 261/3
76.4 D Perera to Haque, Turn again. Harmless one though. Tossed up well outside off, Mominul doesn't fiddle with it. It spins away and goes to the keeper. 260/3
76.3 D Perera to Haque, Kept out off the back foot. 260/3
76.2 D Perera to Haque, On a flatter trajectory around off, Haque goes back to block it with a straight blade. 260/3
76.1 D Perera to Haque, Punched off the back foot back to the bowler. 260/3
75.6 de Silva to Das, Turns this one towards mid on for nothing. 260/3
75.5 de Silva to Das, Liton drives this one towards the man at covers. 260/3
75.4 de Silva to Das, Tossed up around off and middle, pushed back to the bowler. 260/3
75.3 de Silva to Haque, Mominul pushes this towards mid off and gets to the other end. 260/3
75.2 de Silva to Haque, Served outside off, driven straight to covers. 259/3
75.1 de Silva to M Haque, Fuller in length, played to mid on. 259/3
74.6 D Perera to M Haque, Edged! Soft one, past slip for a single. MH did well to not go at that with hard hands. 259/3
74.5 D Perera to Haque, Terrific delivery. Draws Haque forward in defense with this tossed up ball, only for the ball to deviate away a touch past the outside edge of the blade. 258/3
74.4 D Perera to Haque, Nicely looped up outside off, Mominul gets his front foot forward and lets it be as the ball spins away a mile. 258/3
74.3 D Perera to Haque, Pushed towards point from the crease. 258/3
74.2 D Perera to Das, This ball is worked away to deep mid-wicket for a single. 258/3
74.1 D Perera to Das, Flighted delivery around off, defended off the front foot. 257/3
73.6 de Silva to Haque, Outside off, played towards cover-point. 257/3
73.5 de Silva to Haque, Haque lunges and defends it down. 257/3
73.4 de Silva to Haque, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. 257/3
73.3 de Silva to Haque, Served outside off, driven to the man at covers. 257/3
73.2 de Silva to Das, Placed to wide mid on for a single. 257/3
73.1 de Silva to Das, Floated around middle and leg from round the wicket, pushed back to the bowler. 256/3
Dhananjaya de Silva to roll his arm over.
72.6 D Perera to Das, Fuller outside off, pushed towards covers to retain strike. 10 runs off this over. 256/3
72.5 D Perera to Das, FOUR! Woah! Das has kept his foot on the accelerator here. Gets down and nails the sweep shot through square leg for another boundary. Moves to 83, his side leads by 55. 255/3
72.4 D Perera to Das, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 251/3
72.3 D Perera to Das, Chance? No! Tossed up outside off, Liton looks to fetch the sweep from outside off. He is early into the shot and the ball lobs off his shoulders towards slip. The man there leaps to his left but is unable to grab that even after having multiple goes at that. 251/3
72.2 D Perera to Das, FOUR! Excellent shot. Floated outside off, Liton lofts it nicely over wide mid on. Makes excellent contact and the timing is good enough to beat the man charging to his right from long on. 251/3
72.1 D Perera to Haque, Served outside off, slapped through covers for a single. 247/3
Dilruwan Perera back on.
Drinks are on the field now!
71.6 L Kumara to Das, Another boundary? No, the mopping up is done well in the deep. Liton hangs back and guides it to third man for a brace. 8 runs off the over. 246/3
71.5 L Kumara to L Das, FOUR! Liton Das decides to cash in on the opportunity. Gets an overpitched delivery outside off, Das gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers for a glorious boundary. 244/3
71.4 L Kumara to Das, Driven towards the mid off region. 240/3
71.3 L Kumara to Haque, Landed around middle, turned through mid-wicket to rotate strike. 240/3
71.2 L Kumara to Das, Glided through point for a single. 239/3
71.1 L Kumara to Das, Hurled on the stumps, defended from the crease. 238/3
70.6 L Sandakan to Das, Das slaps it through cover-point to retain strike. 238/3
70.5 L Sandakan to Haque, HISTORY CREATED! 6th Test ton for Mominul Haque, his SECOND IN THIS GAME. He becomes the first from his nation to achieve this feat. He knows the magnitude of the achievement and leaps up, punching his fists as he gets to the other end. The Bangladesh players rush out to the balcony to applaud and cheer their savior in the game. Remember, they were precariously placed last evening and he has been in the thick of the things for them to be in the position that they are in now. How does he get to the mark? Taps the loopy ball towards covers and hares to the other end. Well played, young man. Chittagong Hero for sure. That places the hosts 37 runs in front. 237/3
70.4 L Sandakan to Haque, Flatter and outside off, cut away but straight to the man at point. 236/3
Mominul on strike. 99 reads his score.
70.3 L Sandakan to Das, Das opens his bat face to guide it towards point for a single. 236/3
70.2 L Sandakan to Das, Tossed up outside off, defended towards mid off. 235/3
70.1 L Sandakan to Das, Floated full around off, driven back to the bowler. 235/3
69.6 L Kumara to Haque, Anticlimax! Bumper on the stumps, Haque ducks. 235/3
69.5 L Kumara to Das, Length ball slanting in, tucked away to fine leg for one. 235/3
69.4 L Kumara to Das, Fuller on the stumps, driven back. Silly mid on dives to his left and stops. 234/3
69.3 L Kumara to Das, Fuller around off, defended off the front foot. 234/3
69.2 L Kumara to Das, Hurled outside off, Das has a poke at that but misses. 234/3
69.1 L Kumara to Das, Huge appeal but a piece of wood saves Das there. Kumara runs in from over the wicket and angles it in on a fuller length. Das looks to block but gets an inside edge onto the pads. A huge appeal put up by Lahiru, turned down. The action's not over. Haque was down the track in search of a run to get back on strike. As the ball had rolled towards backward point, the slip fielder gets there and fires a throw at the non-striker's end. It missed the stumps but Mominul had made it in. Careful, boy. 234/3
Lahiru Kumara back on now.
68.6 L Sandakan to Das, Outside off, punched wide of long off for another single. 234/3
68.5 L Sandakan to Haque, Outside off, spinning away, punched through point for one more. 233/3
68.4 L Sandakan to Das, Full and outside off, driven through long off for a run. 232/3
68.3 L Sandakan to Haque, The batsman drives this through the covers. They pick up a single. The 150-run stand is up! 231/3
68.2 L Sandakan to Das, DROPPED! But that would have been a blinder had he pulled it off. Full and outside off, Das gets down and mows it over mid-wicket but Dhananjaya de Silva at short mid-wicket leaps and gets two hands to it, but is unable to catch. Mid on gets around and keeps the batsmen to a single. Das admonishes himself. 230/3
68.1 L Sandakan to Das, Tossed up around off, spinning in, pushed back to the bowler. 229/3
67.6 R Herath to Haque, Outside off, pushed to the off side. 229/3
67.5 R Herath to Haque, Comes down the track and pushes it straight to short mid-wicket again. 229/3
67.4 R Herath to Haque, Full and outside off, worked straight to short mid-wicket. 229/3
67.3 R Herath to Haque, Full and outside off, MH sweeps it over mid-wicket where Dilruwan Perera gets across, tumbles and just about manages to stop the boundary. Two runs taken, Mominul a hit away from triple figures. 229/3
67.2 R Herath to Haque, Good stop. Full and outside off, Haque smashes it through mid on but Dhananjaya de Silva at silly mid on stops it. 227/3
67.1 R Herath to Haque, Things happening in the last 30 minutes. Enough to raise a few Sri Lankan eyebrows. Landed outside off, Mominul goes back to cut but is cramped for room as the ball spins back in, takes the inside edge and goes onto his pads. 227/3
66.6 L Sandakan to Das, Dangerous. Short and outside off, Das backs a long way to cut but the ball spins in a mile. He somehow punches it towards cover. 227/3
66.5 L Sandakan to Das, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 227/3
66.4 L Sandakan to Das, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. 227/3
66.3 L Sandakan to Das, On middle, tucked straight to mid-wicket. 227/3
66.2 L Sandakan to Haque, Short and outside off, spinning away, Haque goes back and punches it behind point for a single. 227/3
66.1 L Sandakan to Haque, Tossed up around off, Mominul goes back and defends. 226/3
65.6 R Herath to Das, Full and just outside off, nicely smothered back to the bowler. 226/3
65.5 R Herath to Das, Landed outside off, spinning away, Das lunges and then watches it go past. 226/3
65.4 R Herath to Das, Full and outside off, watchfully pushed back. 226/3
65.3 R Herath to Haque, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. 226/3
65.2 R Herath to Haque, FOUR! Useful runs for Bangladesh. Full and outside off, Mominul pushes forward to defend but the ball skids through, past the outside edge and right between the keeper's legs to the fence behind. Into the 90s, moves Mr. Haque as that has been signalled runs by the umpire. Replays do not detect any edge, in fact whatever noise Marais Erasmus heard was probably the bat hitting the front pad. 225/3
65.1 R Herath to Haque, Full and outside off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler. 221/3
64.6 L Sandakan to Das, On middle and leg, perhaps a bit slower through the air, Liton keeps it out. 221/3
This is not good. Lahiru Kumara is not looking comfortable at all and has called for the physio. In fact, KUMARA IS GOING OFF THE FIELD. Definitely not good news for Sri Lanka, with the second Test starting in 3 days' time. Danushka Gunathilaka comes in as the substitute. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim comes out from the dressing room and asks the batsmen to calm down a bit. Rightly so. Too many shots being played too early. Bangladesh are not out of the woods yet.
64.5 L Sandakan to Das, MISFIELD, FOUR! Sri Lanka looking a bit sloppy now. Full on middle, Das gets down and sweeps it powerfully through mid-wicket. Lahiru Kumara gets across in the deep but while sliding to his right, his left knee jams into the ground and the ball goes through. That must be quite painful. 221/3
64.4 L Sandakan to Das, Full and outside off, Liton stretches and defends. 217/3
64.3 L Sandakan to Das, Down the leg side, Das goes back and plays it with soft hands, just wide of short leg. 217/3
64.2 L Sandakan to Haque, Outside off, slow spin, Mominul goes back and works it past short leg for a run. 217/3
64.1 L Sandakan to Das, Tossed up wide outside off, Das reaches out and drives it wide of Rangana Herath at mid off for a single. 216/3
63.6 R Herath to Haque, LUCKY! Oh dear... no, no, no, Mominul, Calm down. Once again, he waltzes down the track but this time is not to the pitch of the ball. Skews it off the outer half and luckily for him, mid off cannot get to it running back. Two runs taken. 215/3
63.5 R Herath to Haque, Played to the point region by the batsman. 213/3
63.4 R Herath to M Haque, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 213/3
63.3 R Herath to Haque, Goes back and blocks. 213/3
63.2 R Herath to Haque, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 213/3
63.1 R Herath to Haque, FOUR! Okay.. are we into the death overs of a limited overs game? Because Mominul is certainly making us feel so. Perhaps he had a look at the scorecard and thought oops, Liton is getting closer to me. So let me rush ahead. Full and on middle, Haque leans and lofts it over mid on for a boundary! 213/3
Silly mid on in place now.
62.6 L Sandakan to Das, Good fielding. Poor ball, miles down the leg side, LD sweeps hard but the man at short fine leg dives to his left and stops the ball. 209/3
62.5 L Sandakan to Das, Very well bowled. Nicely looped up wide outside off, which makes Liton get across. But then the ball spins in sharply. However, the batsman is alert and defends. 209/3
62.4 L Sandakan to Das, Quicker one, spinning in, Das goes back and pushes it towards short mid-wicket. 209/3
62.3 L Sandakan to Haque, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single. 209/3
62.2 L Sandakan to Haque, SIX! WHAM! Who says this guy can only block? He can score the biggies too! Tossed up outside off, Mominul comes down the track and sends it miles down the ground, clearing long off! His second six of the innings. Moves to 81. 208/3
62.1 L Sandakan to Haque, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover. 202/3
61.6 R Herath to Das, Gone in 60 seconds. The over, that is. Spare us, Rangiii. Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. 202/3
61.5 R Herath to Das, The full ball once more, a forward defense is the response. 202/3
61.4 R Herath to Das, An arm ball, on middle and leg, watchfully defended. 202/3
61.3 R Herath to Das, Similar ball once more, this is driven towards short cover. 202/3
61.2 R Herath to Das, Full again, pushed towards silly point. 202/3
61.1 R Herath to Das, Full and around off, pushed towards short mid-wicket. 202/3
60.6 L Sandakan to Das, Goes back and whips it through mid-wicket for a single. 202/3
60.5 L Sandakan to Das, Very full this time, Das is forward to defend. 201/3
60.4 L Sandakan to Das, Nice bowling. Lands it just around full outside off, then spins it in quickly. But LD gets right behind it and blocks. 201/3
More talks between Chandimal and Sandakan. A field change. Square leg comes in.
60.3 L Sandakan to Das, Quicker one, this time Liton goes back to block. 201/3
60.2 L Sandakan to Das, Full on middle, Das comes forward and dead-bats it. 201/3
60.1 L Sandakan to Haque, Landed outside off, spinning away, but a tad short, Mominul goes back and works it wide of mid on for a quick single. That takes Bangladesh into the lead. The stand is worth 120. 201/3
59.6 R Herath to Das, A touch short, a little bit quicker, cut towards backward point. 200/3
59.5 R Herath to Das, Landed outside off again, this time Das watches it go past. 200/3
59.4 R Herath to Das, Beaten. Landed outside off, LD looks to defend but the ball straightens, just drifts away a bit and beats the outside edge. 200/3
59.3 R Herath to Das, Controlled sweep. On middle and leg again, this time Liton paddles it through fine leg and comes back for the second. This means that even if Bangladesh lose all their remaining wickets without adding any run, Sri Lanka will need to bat again to win this Test. 200 UP! 200/3
59.2 R Herath to Das, Around middle and leg, Das stays inside the line of the ball and eases it towards cover. 198/3
59.1 R Herath to M Haque, The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total. 198/3
Some discussion going on again. It is about the shape of the ball. The umpire's back is towards us, hence we cannot see whether the ball passes through the 8-shaped gauge or not, but it is handed back to Herath, which would mean that they are happy with it.
58.6 L Sandakan to Haque, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. 197/3
58.5 L Sandakan to Haque, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. 196/3
58.4 L Sandakan to Das, A tad short, LD goes back and plays it with soft hands through the covers for a single. 196/3
58.3 L Sandakan to Das, Outside off, pushed back to the bowler. 195/3
58.2 L Sandakan to Das, OUCH! Full on middle, Liton gets down and sweeps it powerfully but straight into the pads of short leg. 195/3
58.1 L Sandakan to Das, Full and outside off, Das reaches out and smothers the spin. 195/3
57.6 R Herath to Haque, Around off, spinning in, Haque goes back and blocks. 195/3
57.5 R Herath to Haque, The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. 195/3
57.4 R Herath to Das, Short and outside off, spinning away, Das goes back and punches it through point for a run. 195/3
57.3 R Herath to Haque, Comes down the track and pushes it down to long on for a single. 194/3
57.2 R Herath to Haque, Goes back and works it towards mid-wicket. 193/3
57.1 R Herath to Haque, Full and outside off, Mominul reaches out and smothers the spin. 193/3
56.6 L Sandakan to Das, Outside off, spinning in a long way, LD looks to tuck it away but wears it on the pads. The ball lobs in the air but wide of any human being. 193/3
56.5 L Sandakan to Das, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 193/3
56.4 L Sandakan to Das, Full and outside off, Liton reaches out and looks to drive but gets an inside edge back to the bowler. 193/3
56.3 L Sandakan to Das, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. 193/3
56.2 L Sandakan to Das, FOUR! You will get that with chinaman bowlers. A full toss here and there and Liton Das does not miss out. He reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary! His third Fifty in Tests, probably his most important one. 193/3
56.1 L Sandakan to Das, Down the leg side, spinning way down too, left alone. 189/3
Lakshan Sandakan to bowl from the other end.
55.6 R Herath to Haque, The batsman works it down the leg side. 189/3
55.5 R Herath to Haque, DROPPED! Oh dear... have Sri Lanka missed an opportunity there? Replays do indicate that. Landed outside off, Mominul goes back, aiming to steer the ball behind point but gets a bottom edge which goes towards the keeper. However, Niroshan Dickwella cannot gather it, probably because the ball came quickly off the bottom edge. Big moment. 189/3
55.4 R Herath to Das, Another easy single. Liton eases this through the covers. 189/3
55.3 R Herath to Das, Landed outside off, Das comes forward and pushes it back to the bowler. 188/3
55.2 R Herath to Haque, Pushes this through mid on for a single. Ticking them off... 188/3
55.1 R Herath to Haque, Full and outside off, pushed towards point. 187/3
Welcome back. 62 overs left in the day. This hour should decide the fate of this match. Rangana Herath vs Mominul Haque first up. Here we go...
... DAY 5, SECOND SESSION ...
So? What do you reckon? When you would have had a balance at the start of the day, kept a draw on one side and a Lankan win on the other, the latter would have been heavier. Now, the game is exactly balanced. Couple of quick wickets after Lunch and Sri Lanka would smell a win. On the other hand, another wicketless hour and we could still see the series as 0-0 when the second Test begins on the 8th of this month. Join us back at 1210 local (0610 GMT).
Nothing much happening for Sri Lanka. When they picked up 3 wickets last evening, their hopes would have gone up but it just seems that the purchase available on Day 4 has disappeared on Day 5. However, a bit bizarre captaincy from Dinesh Chandimal as he was okay with giving singles away. Might as well have kept the field attacking and encouraged the batsmen to improvise. That would not have guaranteed wickets but at least the scoreboard would not have been ticking. Who knows - Liton could have tried a couple of fancy shots and even gifted his wicket away. Defensive captaincy.
Mominul Haque, well, he has been magnificent. No Bangladeshi batsman has ever scored two tons in a Test match and the southpaw is just 30 runs adrift from creating that record. Calm and composed with a wagonwheel which shows runs scored all around the ground, except the third man region, where he has got only 3. Which means that he has avoided the dab shot or the run down shot. Excellent discipline.
Given that two of Bangladesh's heavy run-getters were dismissed yesterday itself, one would have expected the home side to fold up quickly this morning. But while Mominul has continued to enjoy his romance with Chittagong, the biggest positive for Bangladesh has been the batting of Liton Das. The latter normally bats in a bit rash manner but today he has understood the situation and mixed caution with aggression. He has faced 89 balls which is nearly more than an hour of overs bowled.
A wonderful session for the home side! 28.1 overs, 106 runs and no wicket! Not many expected this but the pair of Mominul Haque and Liton Das have quelled all alarms or thoughts.
54.6 de Silva to Haque, And the session is seen off with ease. A bit of a drama on the final ball as Dhananjaya pushes it fuller and in response, Haque pushes forward. But he does so with hard hands and as a result, the ball scoots off the inside edge but wide of short leg. A single to go into the break. LUNCH ON DAY 5, BANGLADESH TRAIL BY 13 RUNS! 187/3
54.5 de Silva to Haque, Full and around off, pushed straight to cover. 186/3
54.4 de Silva to Haque, This time he does not miss out. Another long hop, pulled through fine leg for a couple. 186/3
54.3 de Silva to Haque, A short ball down the leg side, Mominul looks to pull but misses. That ball hurried onto him and went off his pads wide of short leg. 184/3
54.2 de Silva to Haque, Outside leg, watchfully kept down. 184/3
54.1 de Silva to Haque, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They manage to come back for the second. 184/3
Interesting. Dhananjaya de Silva to bowl the final over before Lunch.
53.6 R Herath to Das, A proper arm ball, pushed towards mid off. 182/3
53.5 R Herath to Das, Full and a bit faster than the previous one, straight as an arrow though, Liton is forward to block. 182/3
53.4 R Herath to Das, Action replay of the previous ball. 182/3
53.3 R Herath to Das, Very full and straight, blocked towards the bowler. 182/3
53.2 R Herath to L Das, Full and outside off, eased straight to cover. 182/3
53.1 R Herath to Das, Full on leg stump, just a little bit of drift, Das lunges and works it towards short leg. 182/3
Rangana Herath is back on. Mostly he will bowl only one over before Lunch.
52.6 D Perera to Haque, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 182/3
52.5 D Perera to Haque, FOUR! 100-RUN STAND IS UP! Well played, lads. Kept Sri Lanka at bay. Full and around leg stump, Mominul gets down and looks to sweep. Gets a bit of a top edge but it sails well over Lahiru Kumara at short fine leg. The Sri Lankans cry in ecstasy, which later turns into agony as they realize that it would have needed two Lahiru Kumaras standing on top of one another to take that catch. 182/3
52.4 D Perera to Haque, LBW appeal but the ball is pitching outside leg. Haque stretches to defend but misses and is pinged on the pads. There is some confusion between our scorers whether there was an inside edge or not and from the first replay, it seemed to have missed the edge. However, another replay seemed to indicate that the ball hit the pad, then the bat and went towards silly point. Not quite sure. 178/3
52.3 D Perera to Haque, On middle, Mominul goes back and works it to the leg side. 178/3
52.3 D Perera to Das, NO BALL! Third no ball from Dilruwan, all in this spell itself. Outside off, Liton gets out another reverse sweep and earns a single through point. 178/3
52.2 D Perera to Das, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 176/3
52.1 D Perera to Das, FOUR! The reverse sweeps are getting too frequent now. Outside off, Das gets down in a flash and spanks it behind point, towards the third man fence. 176/3
A conference going on in the middle. Everybody was there from Dickwella, Chandimal, Karunaratne, Herath, etc... surrounding the bowler. Was it just a huddle or some advice, can't say. If it was the latter, then there is a proverb which goes 'Too many cooks spoil the broth.' If it was just a huddle, then there are just 10 minutes to Lunch! Feel like it was a tactic from Chandimal, just to irritate the batsman. If I were a Bangladesh batsman, I would just love to waste as much time as possible. Thank you, Sri Lanka. I have to bat one over less now.
51.6 L Kumara to Haque, A bouncer, around off, coming in, Mominul ducks. 172/3
51.5 L Kumara to Das, Outside off, on a length, pushed towards point for another easy single. 172/3
51.4 L Kumara to Das, A full toss, Das is surprised as he just jabs it to cover. 171/3
51.3 L Kumara to Das, On middle and leg, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. 171/3
51.2 L Kumara to Das, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 171/3
51.1 L Kumara to Das, Outside off, on a length, Das comes forward in a walk and blocks the ball to cover. 171/3
Really nice to see Roshan Abeysinghe taking note of all the stats. Especially where Sri Lanka are involved. Today Sri Lanka are celebrating their 70th Independence Day. Roshan gives us a stat that only Pakistan have won a match on their Independence Day. He is now busy checking whether any other team has done it or can Sri Lanka become the second nation. Well, the two men batting in the middle, will hope to bat for one more hour post Lunch to just take a Lankan win out of the window.
50.6 D Perera to Das, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. The deficit is down to 29. The stand is worth 90. 171/3
50.5 D Perera to Haque, Full on middle, pushed through deepish mid on for a run. 170/3
50.4 D Perera to Haque, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 169/3
50.3 D Perera to Das, There comes the reverse sweep, Das plays it through point for a single. 169/3
50.2 D Perera to Das, Fuller and outside off, solidly defended. 168/3
50.1 D Perera to Das, On middle and leg, played straight to short leg. 168/3
49.6 L Kumara to Das, Pushes this through the covers for one more. 168/3
49.5 L Kumara to Das, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. 167/3
49.4 L Kumara to Haque, Down the leg side, tucked through fine leg for a run. Moves to 60. 167/3
49.3 L Kumara to Haque, Outside off again, punched through the covers again where Dhananjaya de Silva dives to his left to make a partial stop. 166/3
49.2 L Kumara to Das, Outside off, an easy tap and run through point for a single. 166/3
49.1 L Kumara to Das, Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off. 165/3
49.1 L Kumara to Das, WIDE. That might seem like a poor ball from Kumara but one cannot blame the bowler here. In fact, it is a smart ploy. In his previous over, he banged a couple of balls around the good length and short areas, which made the ball skid low. So considering that he bowled short here, it is not wrong. However, this one goes way over Das' head. 165/3
48.6 D Perera to Haque, The arm ball, a touch short, MH is on guard as he punches it towards point. 164/3
48.5 D Perera to Haque, Full and outside off, slowly tossed up, Haque gets a big stride forward and pushes the ball to cover. 164/3
48.4 D Perera to Das, Oho... the reverse sweep comes out now. Straight to Rangana Herath at deep backward point for a run. 164/3
48.3 D Perera to Das, Beaten. Few and far between though, for SDri lanka. Full and outside off, Das stretches to defend, expecting the ball to turn but it goes straight through and beats the outside edge. 163/3
48.2 D Perera to Haque, Similar ball, same shot, but this one is much squarer, so Rangana Herath gets to the ball quickly. Just a single. 163/3
48.1 D Perera to Haque, On middle and leg, worked through fine leg for a couple. The deficit is down to 38 now. The partnership is worth 81. 162/3
47.6 L Kumara to Das, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 160/3
47.5 L Kumara to Das, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. 160/3
47.4 L Kumara to Das, LBW??? No. BBW. The pitch indeed is playing tricks now. Kumara bangs it on a length outside off and Das goes back to defend. But the ball hits something and scoots low. Liton is pinged on the pads and Lahiru is up in an appeal but the wood comes in the way. Inside edge has saved Das. 160/3
47.3 L Kumara to Das, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 160/3
47.2 L Kumara to Haque, A short ball, Haque shows that he is not fazed from what happened on the previous ball as he pulls this comfortably through mid-wicket for a single. Okay... a milestone for Mr. Haque as he now registers the record for most runs in a Test match by a Bangladesh batsman. The previous record was held by Tamim Iqbal when he made 25 and 206 against Pakistan in Khulna in 2015. The Bangladeshi Bradman is back! 160/3
The physio is out in the middle. Looks alright, does Mominul, a bit relaxed as well. He has called for a rib guard as well. Does he sense uneven bounce? He would know the pitch better than anyone else.
47.1 Kumara to Haque, Bang on the helmet! Mominul is down. But he straightaway gets up and says he is okay, with a thumbs up sign to follow. That is a real Day 5 pitch in the sub-continent. Kumara bangs it in short, around middle and Mominul ducks as any batsman would, under a bouncer. But then, the ball barely bounces. It shoots through and luckily for Haque, he is WATCHING THE BALL. Pretty compulsory. If he had not watched the ball, a Phillip Hughes case could have occurred. So as a normal human being's reaction would be, the reflex action takes over. Haque immediately takes his head out of the way but the ball still hits him on the rim of his helmet - the vizor. It lobs towards the slip cordon where the fielder dives and collects. No one appeals for the catch though, as everyone is concerned with Mominul's reaction. 159/3
46.6 D Perera to Haque, Full and just outside off, eased through the covers for another single. 159/3
46.5 D Perera to Haque, Full on middle, pushed towards the bowler once more. 158/3
46.4 D Perera to Haque, Looped up, outside off, pushed towards cover. 158/3
46.3 D Perera to Haque, Outside off, MH comes forward, waits for the ball to come to him and pushes it towards point. 158/3
46.2 D Perera to Haque, On middle and leg, this time Haque goes back and works it towards deepish short leg. 158/3
46.1 D Perera to Haque, Full and outside off, Mominul lunges and pushes it towards cover. 158/3
Some chats. Chandimal and Dilruwan have a talk and now Karunaratne comes over to give his advice too.
45.6 L Kumara to Das, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 158/3
45.5 L Kumara to Das, Ah.... slower ball, fuller in length, perhaps Das is a tad early into the shot and nearly spoons a catch back to the bowler. 158/3
45.4 L Kumara to Das, Fuller, outside off, swinging in late, but Liton is upto it and drives it towards mid off. 158/3
45.3 L Kumara to Das, Better ball, on a length, just outside off, coming in, no room on offer, Das defends. 158/3
45.2 L Kumara to Haque, Rubbish ball. On a slow track, a fast bowler is bowling in the middle of the pitch. Mominul goes back and pulls it with all the time in the world, to deep mid-wicket for a single. 158/3
45.1 L Kumara to Haque, Outside off, pushed straight to cover. 157/3
Lahiru Kumara into the attack now. For the first time in this innings.
44.6 D Perera to Haque, Full and down the leg side, this is swept through square leg for a run. 157/3
44.5 D Perera to Haque, Outside off, pushed to point this time. 156/3
44.4 D Perera to Haque, Action replay of the previous delivery. 156/3
44.3 D Perera to Haque, Full and outside off, pushed to cover. 156/3
44.2 D Perera to Das, On the shorter side, helped through mid-wicket for a single. 156/3
44.1 D Perera to Das, Outside off, dabbed to slip. 155/3
44.1 D Perera to Das, NO BALL. Did Das hear that call? Because he was way down the track even before the ball was delivered. Was nowhere near the pitch of the ball and somehow defended it. Another crime from the bowler. 155/3
43.6 L Sandakan to Das, Loose shot. That ball is landed outside off and Liton goes back to cut, thinking it will turn. The ball does spin away but it is slow. The batsman is caught by surprise and ends up pushing at it. Manages to get the ball away through the covers for a single but that could have so easily been spooned to a fielder or even dragged onto the stumps. 154/3
43.5 L Sandakan to Haque, Another long hop. Outside off, placed through the covers for one. 153/3
43.4 L Sandakan to Das, On the pads, but a bit too short again. Das goes back and comfortably tucks it through fine leg for a run. 152/3
43.3 L Sandakan to Haque, Short and outside off, MH rocks back and cuts it through the covers for a single. 151/3
43.2 L Sandakan to Haque, Landed outside off, slow loop, Haque comes forward again but does not flirt with it. Allows it to spin away into the keeper's gloves. 150/3
43.1 L Sandakan to Haque, Full and outside off, Mominul lunges and pushes it back to the bowler. 150/3
42.6 D Perera to Das, Full and outside off, pushed towards third man but slip intervenes. 150/3
42.5 D Perera to Das, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 150/3
42.4 D Perera to Das, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 150/3
42.3 D Perera to Haque, 50 FOR MOMINUL! Another fighting knock. His 13th in Tests. Can he go on to make it a big one again? That is a tad short around off, spinning in, Haque goes back and works it through square leg for three. 150/3
42.2 D Perera to Haque, Full and outside off, watchfully defended by coming forward. 147/3
42.1 D Perera to Das, Outside off, pushed through point for a single. 147/3
Dilruwan Perera is back on.
Drinks!
41.6 L Sandakan to Haque, Defended from the crease solidly. 146/3
41.5 L Sandakan to Das, This ball is flicked past short leg for one. 146/3
41.4 L Sandakan to Das, This ball is blocked towards short leg. 145/3
41.4 L Sandakan to Das, FOUR! Sandakan is not helping matters for his side. Drops a half-tracker on middle, Das goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Moreover, the bowler has overstepped and it is a no ball. 145/3
41.3 L Sandakan to Haque, Driven through the covers by the batsman. They pick up a single. 140/3
41.2 L Sandakan to Haque, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 139/3
41.1 L Sandakan to Das, Served outside off, slapped through point for a single. 139/3
40.6 R Herath to Das, Full around off, milked through to long off for a single. 138/3
40.5 R Herath to Haque, Eased through mid off for a single. 137/3
40.4 R Herath to Das, Flatter around leg, Das gets down and paddles it fine. The ball rolls towards the fine leg fence but Kumara does well to save a run for his side. 136/3
40.3 R Herath to Haque, The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total. 133/3
40.2 R Herath to Das, Around middle and off, whipped away through mid-wicket for one. 132/3
40.1 R Herath to Haque, Haque gets to the pitch of the ball and wrists it through mid on for one. The 50-run stand between these two is up and Bangladesh are just 69 runs behind now. 131/3
The two umpires have a chat in the middle. Not sure about what. Perhaps the menu for Lunch?
39.6 L Sandakan to Das, FOUR! Another poor ball from Lakshan and it's duly put away. Well outside off and a touch short as well, Das goes back and slaps it through cover-point. Lots of real estate in that region and a boundary results. 130/3
39.5 L Sandakan to Das, Flatter on the pads, Das misses the flick and wears it on the pads. 126/3
39.4 L Sandakan to Das, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 126/3
39.3 L Sandakan to L Das, FOUR! Liton is looking good. Sandakan needs to find his rhythm soon. He floats it up outside off on a very full length. Das gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and drives through mid off. Perera chases it from the same position. He slides and pushes the ball back in play, but its momentum eventually takes it to the fence. 126/3
39.2 L Sandakan to M Haque, Another delivery bowled well outside off, Haque goes back and cuts it in front of square on the off side for one. 122/3
39.1 L Sandakan to Das, Flatter and well outside off, Das slaps it through cover-point for one. 121/3
Lakshan Sandakan is brought on now.
38.6 R Herath to Haque, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 120/3
38.5 R Herath to Haque, Haque defends this one showing the full bat face. 120/3
38.4 R Herath to Haque, FOUR! Good use of the feet. Tossed up ball around off and middle, Haque gets down the track in a flash and goes across the line. Makes nice contact as the ball speed away towards deep mid-wicket. Kumara makes a mess of the diving effort there and lets it through for a boundary. 120/3
38.3 R Herath to Haque, Around off and middle, pushed to mid-wicket. 116/3
38.2 R Herath to Haque, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 116/3
38.1 R Herath to Haque, Tossed up delivery outside off, Haque strides forward to defend it. The ball spins in from the rough and catches him on the front pad. A stifled appeal follows but it is turned down. Seemed to be an inside edge on the first look but replays show otherwise. Impact was well outside off and it would have gone over the stumps as well, shows Hawk Eye. 116/3
37.6 S Lakmal to Das, Fuller around off, driven towards covers. A maiden for Lakmal now. 116/3
37.5 S Lakmal to Das, Another back of a length ball on the stumps, Liton crouched low. 116/3
37.4 S Lakmal to Das, Banged short on the stumps, ducked under by LD. 116/3
37.3 S Lakmal to Das, LOW! Fuller of a good length and angling in a touch, Das stays forward to defend it on the expected bounce. The ball stays low and passes from under the bat and goes through to the keeper. Thanfully for him, the ball wasn't close to the stumps. 116/3
37.2 S Lakmal to L Das, Fuller around off and middle, eased towards mid on for nothing. 116/3
37.1 S Lakmal to Das, Hurled around off and middle, defended with the full face of the bat. 116/3
36.6 R Herath to Das, Flatter on the pads, worked away off through backward square leg for one. 116/3
36.5 R Herath to Das, Rangana continues from over the wicket and lands it around middle. Liton presents a straight bat in defense. 115/3
36.4 R Herath to M Haque, Flatter and quicker outside off, Haque gets an outside edge as he looks to keep it out. The ball goes on the bounce to slip, who lets it through him. A single taken. 115/3
36.3 R Herath to Haque, Beaten! Tossed up arm ball outside off, Mominul lunges to defend. He fails to read the straighter one and gets beaten on the outside. 114/3
36.2 R Herath to Haque, Served around off, defended with a prod. 114/3
36.1 R Herath to Haque, Flatter outside off, MH goes back and punches it back to the bowler. 114/3
35.6 S Lakmal to Das, Another short delivery on the stumps, Das ducks under that one. It goes on the bounce to the keeper. 114/3
35.5 S Lakmal to Haque, Hurled outside off, pushed towards point to rotate strike. 114/3
35.4 S Lakmal to Das, Very full delivery outside off, jammed through backward point for a single. 113/3
35.3 S Lakmal to L Das, Fuller outside off, driven straight to covers. 112/3
35.2 S Lakmal to Haque, This one is turned through mid-wicket to rotate strike. 112/3
35.1 S Lakmal to Haque, Lakmal comes round the wicket and hurls it full around off. Driven to mid off. 111/3
34.6 R Herath to Das, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 111/3
34.5 R Herath to Haque, Edged! Floated around middle, Haque gets an inside edge just past short leg for a single. It just bounced before the fielder there. The trail gets down to 89 now. 111/3
34.4 R Herath to Haque, Tossed up outside off, Haque charges down and reaches out to it. Hits it straight to the man at covers. 110/3
34.3 R Herath to Haque, Floated up around off, defended watchfully off the front foot. 110/3
34.2 R Herath to Das, Flatter one on the pads, Liton goes back and turns it through backward square leg for one. 110/3
34.1 R Herath to Das, FOUR! Excellently played. Herath tosses it up just outside off from round the wicket, the ball spins away just a touch. Das gets down on a knee in and flash and unfurls the sweep shot. Makes good contact with the ball and gets it in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. 109/3
33.6 S Lakmal to Haque, Fuller than the previous delivery, Mominul goes back to defend. Ends up getting a bottom edge and the ball rolls to the off side. Decent start from Lakmal. 105/3
33.5 S Lakmal to Haque, Suranga comes around the wicket and bangs this short slanting in. Haque crouched low to let it pass. 105/3
33.4 S Lakmal to Das, On a length just outside off, Liton taps it towards point and scurries to the other end. Good strategy. 105/3
33.3 S Lakmal to Das, Length ball, angling in. Das misses the flick and gets struck on the pads. 104/3
33.2 S Lakmal to Haque, Similar delivery, Haque taps it towards mid-wicket. This time he sets off and completes the single as the ball didn't go straight to the fielder there. 104/3
33.1 S Lakmal to Haque, Lakmal starts over the wicket and lands it on a length around middle and leg. Punched off the back foot towards mid-wicket. 103/3
Suranga Lakmal is brought in to bowl for the first time today.
32.6 R Herath to Das, Served around off, Das gets ahead and bunts it. A maiden from Herath. 103/3
32.5 R Herath to Das, LD gets back to the defensive mode and blocks it. 103/3
32.4 R Herath to Das, Ohh! Tossed up ball around off and middle, Das comes down the track to hit it through covers. Ends up getting it back to the bowler off the inner half. 103/3
32.3 R Herath to Das, Liton gets nicely behind this one and presents a straight bat face in defense. 103/3
32.2 R Herath to Das, Das lets it come on and just pushes it past silly point's left side. 103/3
32.1 R Herath to Das, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 103/3
31.6 D Perera to Haque, Perera bowls it on the stumps, defended towards mid-wicket. 103/3
31.5 D Perera to Das, Flighted ball around off, turned through mid-wicket for one. 103/3
31.4 D Perera to Haque, Outside off, pushed through covers to get to the other end. 102/3
31.3 D Perera to Haque, MH lunges and defends. 101/3
31.2 D Perera to Haque, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 101/3
31.1 D Perera to Haque, Good shot. Flatter outside off, Haque gets back and punches it through covers. Seems to have timed it pretty well to race away. But Kumara runs to his left from sweeper and fields it. There is a bit of a fumble but he keeps the batsmen down to two. 101/3
30.6 R Herath to Das, Floated around off and middle, Liton gets nicely forward and blocks. 99/3
30.5 R Herath to M Haque, Now Mominul rotates strike by patting it towards mid on. 99/3
30.4 R Herath to Haque, SIX! Pure timing! Herath tosses it up and lands it on a fuller length, Haque gets the length that he wants. He lofts it up over the bowler's head and gets half a dozen as a result. Looking good, the southpaw. 98/3
30.3 R Herath to Haque, Floated around middle, knocked down to mid on. 92/3
30.2 R Herath to Haque, Defended solidly off the front foot. 92/3
30.1 R Herath to Haque, Herath delivers this on a shorter length, Mominul goes back and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple. 92/3
29.6 D Perera to Das, Another delivery on the stumps, kept out with a defensive shot. 90/3
29.5 D Perera to Das, Das presses forward and bunts it. 90/3
29.4 D Perera to Haque, Outside off, pushed through point for one. 90/3
29.3 D Perera to Haque, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. 89/3
29.2 D Perera to Haque, Things happening now frequently. Tossed up outside off, Haque goes back to defends. The ball catches the outside edge and goes past slip and a couple of runs are taken. On another day and another venue for Mominul, the ball would have gone to the slip fielder. 89/3
29.1 D Perera to Das, Eased through mid on for a single. 87/3
28.6 R Herath to Haque, Herath bowls an arm ball outside off, it beats the defensive bat of Mominul. 86/3
28.5 R Herath to Das, Lovely! This has spun off the rough. We saw it occasionally when Taijul was bowling it in the area wide outside off. Herath dishes it out outside off, Das looks to drive. But the ball deviates away sharply, beats the bat and goes through the gap between the slip and the keeper. Byes signaled as the batsmen run three. 86/3
28.4 R Herath to Das, Risky option! Das thinks that he has had enough of blocking the deliveries out and charges down. Ends up getting an inside edge that rolls next to the stumps on the leg side after hitting his pads. 83/3
28.3 R Herath to Das, Quicker one, Das keeps it out with a straight bat. 83/3
28.2 R Herath to Das, Floated on a fuller length, driven towards mid off. 83/3
28.1 R Herath to Das, Floated around off, Das defends it off the front foot. 83/3
27.6 D Perera to Haque, Haque lunges and blocks it down. 83/3
27.5 D Perera to Haque, MH has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 83/3
27.4 D Perera to Haque, Perera comes round the wicket and lands it around off. Haque goes back and keeps it out from the crease. 83/3
27.3 D Perera to Das, Das slinks down to this one and whips it past mid-wicket to rotate strike. 83/3
27.2 D Perera to Das, Defended solidly off the front foot onto the ground. 82/3
27.1 D Perera to Das, Floated around off from over the wicket, Das lunges forward and bunts it firmly. 82/3
Dilruwan Perera, as expected, will bowl from the other end. A slip and a short leg are the close in fielders for him.
26.6 R Herath to Das, This is delivered on a flatter trajectory outside off, Das transfers his weight on the back foot and punches it past silly point for a run to get off the mark straightaway. 82/3
We are all set to get underway. Liton Das is the new batsman walking in as Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed in what turned out to be the last ball of the day. He will face Rangana Herath, who has one delivery left in the over. A slip, gully and a silly point in place. Mominul Haque stands at the other end.
Mehidy Hasan is up for a chat and he reckons that Mominul Haque, Liton Das, Mahmudullah apart from him are yet to bat and he seems confident of doing well. Adds that they will look to do their best. Reckons that some deliveries are turning square while some go on straight and that makes it tough for batting. Ends hoping to fare well with the bat on the pitch that has just spiced up.
PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo is out there inspecting the track on this final day. He stands at the Rocket end and reckons that the Sri Lankan spinners would be licking their lips. The track is dry at that end and he expects them to get a lot of assistance from here. He adds further that there are enough roughs at the other end and hence, he isn't going closer to have a look there. Ends saying that smothering the spin by using the feet is the key.
Sri Lanka have played like one of those sides, who create a mirage of playing the catch-up game for most times, only to slip ahead and boss the game. Their three main spinners have picked up a wicket apiece and these are good signs for them. They have a week of wickets to be snaffled up. Dinesh Chandimal and Co. would look to go all out and quell any semblance of fightback that would be on display from the home side. Is this the final script or do we have another twist in the offing? Stay with us as we sail through Day 5.
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and Mominul Haque is a love story. The southpaw averages over 85 at the venue and his 176 in the first essay stood testimony to that. Looking at the way Bangladesh played in the first innings, it was hard to imagine that they would find themselves in a quagmire that they are in now. They are staring at a 119-run deficit and an innings defeat looms. The Chittagong Hero is still in the middle for them, though. Can he further his romance with the ground with a rescue act for his side? On this backdrop, we take pleasure in having your company with us for the final day in this first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
... Final Day, First Session ...
A final day finish beckons. The track is suddenly not a placid one. The catches are suddenly going straight to the fielders. These are all dangerous pointers for Bangladesh. They need to bat well to escape with a draw here. Didn't imagine myself writing anything close to this till the previous session. Sri Lanka would turn up refreshed and hungry for more. We'll love to have you all tomorrow. Do join us at 0930 local time (0330 GMT) for all the action. Cheers! Adios! Take care! To enjoy some crisp T20I cricket, you may switch tabs for the Australia vs New Zealand game.
Earlier in the day, the tourists played an attritional brand of cricket to keep the hosts on the field for 1197 balls. At a point it felt as if the lucid surface had made them resign to the fact that it was futile to expose their bowlers to this surface. No great urgency to score was shown. However, they crawled their way forward to a mammoth score, which means the hosts are still 119 runs behind. Roshen Silva went past the triple figure mark while Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella failed to get theirs. For the hosts, Taijul Islam picked up a four-fer. Looking back now, one can understand and laud the Lankans' strategy with the bat.
Dramatic end to an otherwise staid day! Sri Lanka have wrested back the initiative in a big time here. After thinking that 200 runs are enough in their bank, they came out, armed with experienced and incisive spinners, on the field. The home side openers kept them at bay for 90 balls and 52 runs. But that opening was enough for the visitors to make further inroads, sending a couple more back in the hut. It should be made clear, however, that there is nothing on the surface to suggest that it is unplayable, as the wickets to fall have been because of the batters' undoing.
26.5 R Herath to M Rahim, OUT! What a moment in the game! The analogue clock on the ground showed local time to be 1630 yet the umpires went by the watch that they had in their hands, which meant that another over was squeezed in. And lo, the hosts lose one of the mainstays in what turns out to be the last delivery of the day. What's more, Chandimal brought Herath on to bowl this one and his move has paid off big time. The veteran tosses this one around off, Rahim gets a big stride forward to defend. The ball takes the inside edge, hits the front pad, lobs off the boot and Mendis takes a stunner at silly point. The Lankans are confidently ecstatic as they feel they have got their man. However, the dreaded finger from the umpire is not raised. Rod Tucker goes to his partner, has a longish chat with Marais Erasmus and takes it upstairs, giving the soft signal as Not Out. Time for another look, which seals the deal. It shows that the ball has hit the pad after taking the inside edge, lobbed off the boot and is in the air a bit. The man from silly point has taken a clean catch as well, concludes the TV umpire. Thus the on-field call is overturned and that means, Rahim has to walk back to the pavilion, this time 98 runs short of a ton. Also, that's STUMPS ON THE PENULTIMATE DAY! 81/3
What's happened here? There is a catch taken at silly point, the Lankans go up in unison for that. They seem very confident with this. Rod Tucker confers with the leg umpire and takes it upstairs. The soft signal is NOT OUT.
26.4 R Herath to Rahim, Bunted off the front foot onto the ground. 81/2
26.3 R Herath to Haque, Outside off, driven through covers for one. 81/2
26.2 R Herath to Haque, This one is played to mid-wicket off the inner half. 80/2
26.1 R Herath to Haque, Floated around off, Haque goes back and defends it to the on side. 80/2
Hello! We have time for another over, feel the umpires and here we go... Rangana Herath to bowl the final one. He started this innings and now will end the day.
25.6 L Sandakan to Rahim, Sandakan comes over the wicket and flights it full on middle and leg. Rahim bunts it solidly. 80/2
Should be the last ball for the day. Rahim does some gardening and then gets ready to face it...
25.5 L Sandakan to Rahim, Tossed up around off, Rahim bunts it off the front foot. 80/2
25.4 L Sandakan to Rahim, Fuller in length, hit to mid-wicket. 80/2
25.3 L Sandakan to Rahim, Rahim goes back and sees this off with a straight bat. 80/2
25.2 L Sandakan to Rahim, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 80/2
Leg slip in place now.
25.1 L Sandakan to Rahim, Floated well outside off, Rahim strides forward and blocks it to short leg. 80/2
Last over of the day coming up. Rahim is taking his time to ensure that it is the last one for sure. He is signaling to the dressing room to get him some tablets. Not sure what for.
24.6 D Perera to Rahim, Pushed defensively through covers to retain strike. 80/2
24.5 D Perera to Rahim, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 79/2
24.4 D Perera to Rahim, This is quicker and fuller on the stumps. Rahim gets back quickly and defends it to short leg. 79/2
24.3 D Perera to Rahim, Tossed up outside off and drops it on a fuller length. Rahim gets behind the line nicely and smothers it. 79/2
24.2 D Perera to Rahim, Floated outside off, Rahim lets it spin in and defends it to the off side. 79/2
24.1 D Perera to Haque, Dropped on a length that is on the shorter side, Mominul goes back quickly and punches it through covers to rotate strike. 79/2
23.6 L Sandakan to Rahim, Rahim goes back and defends it with a straight bat. 78/2
23.5 L Sandakan to Rahim, Swept away to the man at square leg. 78/2
23.4 L Sandakan to Rahim, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 78/2
23.3 L Sandakan to Haque, Tossed up around off, Haque pushes it towards covers. Perera gets to his left from point, slides. But he is unable to prevent the single. 78/2
23.2 L Sandakan to Rahim, This is the googly, Rahim reads it well and plays it towards the off side. Quickly gets to the other end to open his account. 77/2
23.1 L Sandakan to Rahim, Tossed up around off, Rahim lunges forward and keeps it out. 76/2
22.6 D Perera to Haque, Flighted delivery around off, bunted. 76/2
22.5 D Perera to Haque, Flatter on the pads, worked away towards square leg. 76/2
Leg slip comes to silly point now.
22.4 D Perera to Haque, Defended off the front foot onto the ground. 76/2
22.3 D Perera to Haque, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. 76/2
22.2 D Perera to Haque, Sri Lanka are now showing what their spinners are capable of. Perera floats it just around off, forcing Mominul to lunge forward in defense. But the ball spins away just enough to beat the outside edge. It wasn't far from the off pole as well. Dickwella failed to collect that. 76/2
22.1 D Perera to Haque, Shortish in length, cut away to point. 76/2
21.6 L Sandakan to Rahim, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 76/2
21.5 L Sandakan to Rahim, Floated around off and middle, eased to mid on. 76/2
Mushfiqur Rahman makes his way out to the center. He missed out getting to triple figures in the first innings and should look to rectify the same this time around.
21.4 L Sandakan to Iqbal, OUT! Delight for Sandakan, despair for Tamim! Nicely tossed up outside off, Iqbal lunges forward to defend. Stretches out to reach the ball and all he does is gets a thick outside edge to the keeper. Dickwella pouches it to his left and sets off the celebrations for the Sri Lankans. Haque from the other end, asks Tamim to take the review but the latter replies that he had indeed edged it. The hosts rocked back early in the second innings. 76/2
21.3 L Sandakan to Iqbal, Shortish delivery outside off, punched to covers. 76/1
21.2 L Sandakan to Iqbal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 76/1
21.1 L Sandakan to Haque, Floated outside off on a shortish length, Haque goes back and pulls it to mid on. He scurries to the other end, beating the wild shy from the fielder. 76/1
Lakshan Sandakan introduced into the attack.
20.6 D Perera to Iqbal, Another one in line of the stumps, defended. 75/1
20.5 D Perera to Iqbal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 75/1
20.4 D Perera to Iqbal, FOUR! Flatter and shorter outside off, Tamim goes back and cuts it fiercely through point for a boundary. 75/1
20.3 D Perera to Iqbal, Landed outside off, Iqbal strides forward but gets beaten by the away turn on that. 71/1
20.2 D Perera to Iqbal, TI gets behind that solidly and keeps it out. 71/1
20.1 D Perera to Iqbal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 71/1
19.6 de Silva to Haque, FOUR! Poor delivery, punished. De Silva dishes out a low full toss outside off, Haque makes full use of that. Mominul drives it powerfully through covers for a boundary. Silly point had to take evasive action, which he did with a jump. 71/1
19.5 de Silva to Haque, Kept out from the crease. 67/1
19.4 de Silva to Haque, Looped up around off and middle, Mominul strides to defend. 67/1
19.3 de Silva to Haque, Haque goes back to this one and bunts it from the crease. 67/1
19.2 de Silva to Haque, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 67/1
19.1 de Silva to Haque, Flighted delivery around middle and leg, flicked away through mid-wicket for a brace. 67/1
18.6 D Perera to Iqbal, The batsman plays the Square-Cut. 65/1
18.5 D Perera to Haque, Turned away off the pads for a single through square leg. 65/1
18.4 D Perera to M Haque, Haque looks to defend but gets a soft outside edge towards slip. 64/1
18.3 D Perera to Haque, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 64/1
18.2 D Perera to Iqbal, Eased through mid on to rotate strike. 64/1
18.1 D Perera to Haque, Flatter outside off, cut away for a single. 63/1
17.6 de Silva to Iqbal, TI stands back and defends. 62/1
17.5 de Silva to Iqbal, Defended from the crease. 62/1
17.4 de Silva to Haque, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 62/1
17.3 de Silva to Iqbal, MADE IT! Iqbal strides forward to defend but the ball takes the inside edge and it rolls to the on side in front of square. The man from square leg, Mendis, one thinks, gets there and strikes the bull's eye at the bowler's end. Although Tamim seems in, it is taken upstairs. Replays find him easily in. 61/1
Direct hit at the bowler's end! Tamim Iqbal seems to be in there, but the umpire takes it upstairs, just to be safe.
17.2 de Silva to Iqbal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 60/1
17.1 de Silva to T Iqbal, Fuller on off, driven towards mid off. 60/1
16.6 D Perera to Haque, This ball is nudged off his pads through square leg for a brace. 60/1
16.5 D Perera to Haque, Haque drives it straight to the man at covers. 58/1
16.4 D Perera to Haque, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 58/1
16.3 D Perera to Haque, MH lunges forward and defends that watchfully. 58/1
16.2 D Perera to Haque, Fired in line of the stumps, defended off the back foot. 58/1
16.1 D Perera to Haque, Served outside off, punched through covers for two. 58/1
15.6 de Silva to Iqbal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 56/1
15.5 de Silva to Haque, Tossed up around middle and leg, flicked away round the corner for one. 56/1
15.4 de Silva to Haque, Haque fails to sweep this one and gets hit on the pads. 55/1
15.3 de Silva to Haque, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 55/1
15.2 de Silva to T Iqbal, Fuller outside off, driven through covers for one. 55/1
15.1 de Silva to Iqbal, Flatter delivery, worked away off the pads for a brace. 54/1
Mominul Haque makes way to the middle next. Remember, he stroked a splendid 176 in the first essay. His side needs a similar innings here.
14.6 D Perera to Kayes, OUT! Atrocious, irresponsible, reckless - call it whatever you want. The end result is, Bangladesh lose their first. Floated up in line of the stumps, Kayes gets down to scoop it fine. Ends up getting a bottom edge to that and the ball lobs to backward square leg for the simplest of catches, which Chandimal doesn't falter taking. The 52-run stand is done and dusted. Hard to understand that shot when your team is looking to see the day off. The hosts are still 148 behind. 52/1
14.5 D Perera to Iqbal, Worked through backward square leg to rotate strike. 52/0
14.4 D Perera to Iqbal, Floated delivery around off, beaten yet again due to the away turn. 51/0
14.3 D Perera to Iqbal, Confusion! That's the last thing the hosts require. Tamim works this ball towards square leg. Dickwella rushes quickly to the ball. The batter was down in search of the single, a yes-no call from his partner made him wait there. Eventually he returns into the crease safely. 51/0
14.2 D Perera to Kayes, Flatter on middle and leg, worked away through backward square leg for one. 51/0
14.1 D Perera to Kayes, Lovely! Tossed up delivery that lands on off. Kayes lunges forward to defend but the ball spins away past the outside edge and goes to the keeper. A ball here and there that spins like this, is enough to create doubts in the minds of the batsmen. 50/0
Last drinks break for the day!
13.6 de Silva to Kayes, Floated outside off, punched through covers for one. That raises the fifty for Bangladesh. 50/0
13.5 de Silva to I Kayes, Straighter one around off, Kayes lets it come on before defending. The ball takes an inside edge onto his pads. 49/0
13.4 de Silva to Kayes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 49/0
13.3 Silva to I Kayes, FOUR! Slashes and slashes hard! Sri Lanka won't mind this. Tossed up ball outside off, Imrul gets down on a knee and looks to go over covers. Ends up getting a thick outside edge over the slip fielder and the ball races away to the fence. 49/0
13.2 de Silva to Kayes, Kayes gets forward and defends. 45/0
13.1 de Silva to Iqbal, Pushed outside off, driven through covers. They take a quick single. There is a wild throw at the bowler's end, the ball goes towards sweeper. No extra run results though. 45/0
12.6 D Perera to Kayes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 44/0
12.5 D Perera to Kayes, Around middle and leg, flicked away off the pads, straight to short leg. 44/0
12.4 D Perera to Iqbal, Quicker one on a length just around off, Tamim goes back and punches it past silly point for one. 44/0
Silly point in place.
12.3 D Perera to Iqbal, Served around off and middle, defended solidly off the front foot. 43/0
12.2 D Perera to Iqbal, FOUR! Tamim's intentions are crystal clear. Sees this tossed up ball on the stumps, he slinks down the track and looks to go over the top. Gets it off the inner half but has enough to clear mid on with ease. 43/0
12.1 D Perera to Iqbal, Begins with a flighted ball fuller in length, driven straight to mid on. 39/0
Dilruwan Perera is into the attack now.
11.6 de Silva to Kayes, Tossed up delivery on the stumps, kept out with a forward defense. 39/0
11.5 de Silva to Kayes, Lunged forward and blocked off the front foot. 39/0
11.4 de Silva to Kayes, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. 39/0
11.3 de Silva to Kayes, De Silva lands it around off, Imrul looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. 39/0
11.2 de Silva to Kayes, Flatter on off and middle, defended. 39/0
11.1 de Silva to Iqbal, Tossed up around middle and leg, Iqbal gets down the track to block. Gets an inside edge past short leg for one. 39/0
10.6 R Herath to Kayes, Gives it nice loop, Kayes presses forward and blocks. 38/0
10.5 R Herath to Kayes, Kayes punched the ball off the back foot. 38/0
10.4 R Herath to Iqbal, Quicker on the stumps, punched down to long on for a single. 38/0
10.3 R Herath to Iqbal, Very full on the stumps, Iqbal jams it out. 37/0
10.2 R Herath to I Kayes, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 37/0
10.1 R Herath to Kayes, Presses forward and defends. 36/0
9.6 de Silva to Iqbal, LBW appeal but maybe, there was an inside edge! Fuller and straighter on the stumps, Tamim prods forward to defend but seems to have gotten an inside edge and then gets hit on the pads. De Silva keeps appealing and now the whole of the Lankan team joins. The umpire shakes his head. Replays spots an inside edge. 36/0
9.5 de Silva to Iqbal, Attempted off break which doesn't spin and stays really low. Iqbal leans forward and manages to keep it out. 36/0
9.4 de Silva to Kayes, Loopy ball outside off, driven a bit uppishly towards Herath at deepish mid off. 36/0
9.3 de Silva to Kayes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 35/0
9.2 de Silva to Kayes, Hangs back and shows a straight bat. 35/0
9.1 de Silva to Kayes, Floated delivery around middle and leg, worked away towards short mid-wicket. 35/0
Dhananjaya de Silva is brought into the attack.
8.6 R Herath to Iqbal, FOUR! With the spin! Tossed up delivery outside off, Tamim gets down and nails the sweep through square leg for a boundary. off the meet it came! 35/0
8.5 R Herath to Iqbal, Iqbal covers the line and keeps it out. 31/0
8.4 R Herath to I Kayes, Eased down to mid on for a single. 31/0
8.3 R Herath to Kayes, Around middle and leg, nudged towards the man at mid on. 30/0
8.2 R Herath to Kayes, IK dances down the track but decides to defend it. 30/0
8.1 R Herath to Kayes, Tossed up delivery outside off, Imrul drives it towards mid off. 30/0
7.6 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Sprays down the leg side, Iqbal moves inside the line to let it be. A maiden for Lakmal! 30/0
7.5 S Lakmal to Kayes, Drifting in on the pads, Kayes works it away through mid-wicket for a single. 30/0
7.4 S Lakmal to Kayes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 29/0
7.3 S Lakmal to Kayes, Drags his length short, Kayes bends down to evade it. 29/0
7.2 S Lakmal to Kayes, A loud, loud shout for an LBW! Umpire Erasmus stays put. Lakmal fires in a yorker on the stumps, Kayes looks to jam it out and seems to have gotten an inside edge before getting hit on the pads. Suranga keeps appealing but gets no attention. Chandimal walks to him has a word but they decide not to take the DRS. Snicko spots a clear inside edge. 29/0
7.1 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Length delivery, angling in on middle and leg, tucked through mid-wicket for a single. 29/0
6.6 R Herath to Kayes, Darts in a fuller ball on off, Imrul looks to jam it out but fails to get any wood on it. 28/0
6.5 R Herath to Kayes, SIX! Down the track and Kayes goes bang! What a hit! All this while he was kept quiet by Herath. This time he sees the flight, decides to wear the dancing shoes on and smacks it high and handsome over the bowler's head for a maximum. 28/0
6.4 R Herath to Kayes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 22/0
6.3 R Herath to Kayes, Slower through the air, landed full outside off, Kayes prods forward in defense. 22/0
6.2 R Herath to Kayes, Flatter delivery around middle and off, Imrul hangs back in defense. 22/0
6.1 R Herath to Kayes, Tossed up delivery outside off, blocked off the front foot. 22/0
5.6 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Length delivery, angling in on middle and leg, worked towards the square leg fielder. 22/0
5.5 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Short of a length delivery on middle, Tamim hops and tucks it away towards the square leg fielder. 22/0
5.4 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Good length delivery on off, Tamim looks to drive it away but squirts it off the inner half to square leg. 22/0
5.4 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Another short ball but the line is not the one that will threaten the batsman. Tamim once again ducks but Lakmal will have to reload as he overstepped. 22/0
5.3 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Bangs in a short one, it kicks off the deck. Tamim is quick to sit under it. 21/0
5.2 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Slightly fuller, just outside off, Iqbal leans forward and keeps it out towards cover. 21/0
5.1 S Lakmal to Iqbal, On a good length and angling in on middle, defended back to the bowler who, in his followthrough, collects it with his right hand and mimes a throw at Tamim. 21/0
4.6 R Herath to Kayes, Kayes presses forward and kills it back down the turf. 21/0
4.5 R Herath to Kayes, Quicker through the air outside off, Imrul Kayes goes for the reverse sweep but fails to get going with the shot. Trying to give Herath a dose of his own medicine? 21/0
4.4 R Herath to Iqbal, Tamim milks a single down to long on. 21/0
4.3 R Herath to Iqbal, Quicker and flatter outside off, slapped hard but finds the man at point. 20/0
4.2 R Herath to T Iqbal, Tossed up on the stumps, wristed away to mid on. 20/0
4.1 R Herath to Kayes, Tossed up on off, driven through the cover region for a single. 20/0
3.6 S Lakmal to Iqbal, FOUR! Easy for Tamim! Lakmal delivers it on a fuller length but sprays it on the pads, Tamim wrists it along the carpet in front of square on the leg side. Races away! Good start for Bangladesh! 19/0
3.5 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 15/0
3.4 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Eases this full ball straight to mid off. 15/0
3.3 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Lakmal once again keeps it full and it's on the pads, Tamim leans across and flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket again. Comes back for a couple. 15/0
3.2 S Lakmal to Kayes, Fuller in length and angling in, clipped through mid-wicket for one. 13/0
3.1 S Lakmal to Kayes, Good length on off, defended off the back foot to the bowler. 12/0
2.6 R Herath to Iqbal, Tamim leans forward to defend but this one goes straight on with the arm. Beats the outside edge as Dickwella whips the bails off. Iqbal's back foot was grounded though. 12/0
2.5 R Herath to Iqbal, FOUR! Good shot! Loopy delivery around middle and leg, Tamim flicks it neatly through the gap at mid-wicket to pick up a boundary. 12/0
2.4 R Herath to Iqbal, Loopy ball around middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket. 8/0
2.3 R Herath to I Kayes, Worked away through mid on for a single. 8/0
2.2 R Herath to I Kayes, Tossed up ball outside off, IK comes down the track and pushes it to the fielder at cover. 7/0
2.1 R Herath to Kayes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 7/0
1.6 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Beaten! On a length and shaping away just a touch, Iqbal has a tentative poke inside the line but it misses the outside edge by a whisker. 7/0
1.5 S Lakmal to Iqbal, On a length and outside off, Tamim keeps his bat inside the line to leave it alone. 7/0
1.4 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Fuller in length and outside off, Tamim drives it through mid off and comes back for a brace. 7/0
1.3 S Lakmal to Iqbal, On a good length and in the channel outside off, Tamim shoulders his arms to it. 5/0
1.2 S Lakmal to Iqbal, FOUR! Superb! Back of a length delivery, but the line is wider outside off, Iqbal cracks it through cover. Away she races to the fence for a boundary. 5/0
1.1 S Lakmal to Iqbal, Good length delivery, slanting away outside off, Iqbal defended off the back foot. 1/0
Suranga Lakmal to share the new cherry from the other end.
0.6 R Herath to Kayes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. Tidy stuff from Herath! 1/0
0.5 R Herath to Kayes, Loopy delivery outside off, driven towards the cover fielder. 1/0
0.4 R Herath to Kayes, Tossed up on off, worked towards mid on. 1/0
0.3 R Herath to Iqbal, Bangladesh are away and so is Tamim! Floated delivery around leg, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 1/0
0.2 R Herath to Iqbal, Bowls it a bit too full, Iqbal brings his bat down and wrists it towards mid on. 0/0
0.1 R Herath to Iqbal, Starts off from over the wicket and lands it around middle, Tamim prods forward and works it towards the short leg fielder. 0/0