Sri Lankan batting coach Thilan Samaraweera believes that second Test in Dhaka is hanging in balance the opening day. Sri Lanka went into the dressing with a psychological edge over Bangladesh as they reduced them to 56 for 4 after being bowled out for 222 on Thursday (February 8).
Half-centuries from Kusal Mendis and Roshen Silva, followed by a fine bowling performance from Suranga Lakmal, helped Sri Lanka to a position of strength at the end of day's play. As many as 14 wickets fell on the opening day on a powdery pitch with puffs of dust being a regular feature right from the start.
"I think the game is still balanced because we have to take another six wickets, we have to bat another innings and we have to bowl them out in another innings," said Samaraweera. "For me, I think we were 30 runs short. Normally on a Dhaka wicket, 240, 250 is a very good score but at the end of the day we took four wickets," he said before adding that he was happy with the wicket given that it was imperative for the sustenance of Test cricket to produce result-oriented wickets.
"I think this is a typical Dhaka pitch. [Against] England, Australia we played on the same pitches," said Samaraweera, who was Bangladesh's batting consultant then. "You can't say unplayable, but from Chittagong to here the wickets are two different extremes. But Test cricket is dying these days and you have to produce result pitches. I think I am happier with this than the Chittagong one," he said.
"I think on the Chittagong pitch if you bat straight it is hard to get out. But here, you have to look to score runs, because any time you can get a good ball."
Samaraweera said much depended on the first two hours of the second day and cautioned his team not to get carried away given that Bangladesh have a tendency of producing their best in Dhaka.
"Hard to say, because Mirpur [for Bangladesh] is like Galle for Sri Lanka. Bangladesh dominate their cricket in Mirpur. Very hard to say which team is favourite, but whatever we do we have to do well tomorrow. First two hours are crucial, we have to bowl tight, build pressure, then one or two will turn, one may go straight. We have to bowl well for the next two hours."
Samaraweera was happy with Mendis's batting and expressed satisfaction for the contribution of the tail-enders. The visitors made a brave effort after Bangladesh's bowlers let the momentum slip out of their hands as they posted 222 after being restricted to 106 for 6 at one point.
"I think excellent, but the biggest thing is Kusal Mendis's 60 [68]. That 60 came very quickly, it was a massive part of the batting because on this pitch it is not easy to score fast," said Samaraweera. "We have to give credit to the tailenders and Roshen Silva - they batted well," he added.
