Sri Lanka’s players celebrate after the dismissal of Bangladesh’s Shahadat Hossain during the third day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on April 1, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Sri Lanka bolstered its chance to sweep the two-Test series against Bangladesh despite suffering a batting collapse on Day 3 of the final Test on April 1.

After gaining a huge lead in the first innings, Sri Lanka reached 102 for six at the stumps to extend its overall advantage to 455 runs.

The touring team bowled out Bangladesh earlier for a paltry total of 178 but chose not to enforce the follow-on.

Fast bowler Asitha Fernando claimed four for 34 as Bangladesh was dismissed for fewer than 200 for the third time in a row.

His fellow opener Vishwa Fernando picked up two for 38, including the wicket of Zakir Hasan, who top-scored with 54 after Bangladesh had resumed on 55 for one.

It was a big blow for the home side when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, on 1, clipped a ball straight to short mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya (2-65).

Vishwa then dismissed nightwatchman Taijul Islam for 22.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept up a tight length and received another reward when Asitha claimed two wickets in an over.

Playing his first Test in a year, the dangerous Shakib Al Hasan was trapped lbw for 15 by a sharp inswinger.

Liton Das hit Asitha for a boundary off his second ball, but the bowler exacted his revenge with a short-of-a-length delivery that took the outside edge.

Shahadat Hossain was then caught by Kamindu Mendis off fast bowler Lahiru Kumara (2-19) for 8.

Mehidy Hasan was trapped lbw by Jayasuriya for 7 before Asitha wrapped up the Bangladesh innings by removing Mominul Haque (33) and Syed Khaled Ahmed for 1.

There was another clatter of wickets when Sri Lanka batted again, with Bangladesh fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud (4-51) and Khaled Ahmed (2-29) doing the damage.

At stumps, Angelo Mathews was 39 not out and Jayasuriya was unbeaten on 3.

Sri Lanka won the first Test by 328 runs.

Sri Lanka’s cricketers walk off the field after the second day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on March 31, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Sri Lanka kept its nose ahead in the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh by posting a massive 531 on Day 2 Sunday, thanks to six batters getting past half-century marks.

In response, Bangladesh reached 55-1 at stumps, still trailing by 476 runs.

None of the batters were able to reach the three-figure mark but Sri Lanka ensured it didn’t lose wickets in succession.

Kamindu Mendis, who scored twin centuries in the first test that Sri Lanka won by a crushing 328 runs, was stranded on 92 as the 10th wicket fell to a run-out dismissal.

Kusal Mendis made a team-high 93 while Dimuth Karunaratne scored 86. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who also scored centuries in both innings of the first test, added 70.

Dinesh Chandimal contributed 59 and opener Nishan Madushka made 57.

“Our players, most of them, got out to good balls,” Kamindu said.

“It doesn’t matter whether you get a hundred or not. We still reached 500 runs.” Shakib Al Hasan, playing his first Test in more than a year, took 3-110 to gain a measure of control and stem some of the run flow.

Resuming at 314-4, Sri Lanka played in aggressive fashion with de Silva taking the anchor role.

Dinesh Chandimal, who reached scores of just 9 and 0 in the first test, also found some form and frustrated Bangladesh further.

Chandimal raised his 26th test fifty off 85 balls, hitting pacer Hasan Mahmud for a boundary through mid-off.

But he was he was undone by Shakib a short time later and was dismissed for 59 off 104 balls, ending an 86-run partnership with de Silva.

De Silva also struck a boundary off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam to bring up his 14th fifty off 70 balls and appeared to be heading toward his third straight century after scoring 102 and 108 in the first test.

Fast bowler Syed Khaled Ahmed (1-71) got him leg-before with a delivery that kept low after de Silva hit six fours and two sixes for his well-crafted knock.

Kamindu hit three consecutive boundaries after his arrival at the crease to get off the mark smoothly but Bangladesh bowlers led by Shakib maintained a tight line and length to slow down the tourists.

Kamindu raised his fourth straight fifty in the first four innings of his career off 99 balls, pushing offspinner Mehidy Hasan for a single through cover.

Shakib was rewarded for his tight length when he got rid of Prabath Jayasuirya for 28 to end the 65-run partnership.

Despite running out of partners, Kamindu paced the innings further to take the side past 500.

He struck Taijul for two sixes in an over to reach 90 and appeared set for his third century in a row.

However, Asitha Fernando was run out, leaving Kamindu stranded after hitting seven fours and two sixes in his knock.

Mahmud, who took two wickets on Day 1 on his test debut, couldn’t add to his tally Sunday and finished with figures of 2-92.

“We are still thinking about winning the game. It might seem a bit bizarre considering we are 480 runs behind,” Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp said.

“The key bit will be to negotiate tomorrow. First things first, we have to make sure we bat well for three sessions tomorrow.”

Bangladesh openers Mahmudul Hasan and Zakir Hasan then had to deal with a probing spell of fast bowling from Lahiru Kumara who moved the new ball admirably.

Kumara (1-4) got his reward when he bowled Mahmudul out for 21, ending his 47-run partnership with Zakir.

Zakir struck five fours to remain not out on 28 with nightwatchman Taijul Islam yet to score.

Sri Lankas Dimuth Karunaratne (L) plays a shot as wicketkeeper Litton Dad (R) looks on during the first day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on March 30, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Sri Lanka dominated the opening day of the second and final cricket test against Bangladesh, riding on strong contributions from its top three batters.

No. 3 Kusal Mendis struck 93, Dimuth Karunaratne hit 86 and his fellow opener Nishan Madushka added 57 as Sri Lanka reached 314-4 in 90 overs at stumps on Saturday.

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, whose last international match was at the 2023 World Cup in India, returned figures of 1-60 in 18 overs.

Dinesh Chandimal (34 not out) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (15 not out) will resume Sunday. De Silva hit centuries in both innings of the first test, which Sri Lanka won by 328 runs.

Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud claimed 2-64 on his test debut.

“300-plus for four on Day 1 is a good score,” Karunaratne said. “There’s turn and seam movement with the new ball … There’s a result on this wicket.”

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the tourists made a fluent start but Bangladesh wasted chances.

Madushka was dropped on 9 when Mahmudul Hasan put down a straightforward chance off Mahmud at second slip. Karunaratne was also lucky to survive when he top-edged Mahmud’s delivery but Shakib fumbled the ball over the boundary line to give the batter a six.

“We created chances in the morning, but didn’t capitalize on those. Similar story in the first test where we took five wickets in the first session,” Bangladesh bowling coach Andre Adams said. “Dropping catches will continue to cost us if we keep doing it … For us to compete and be excellent, we need to be excellent for longer.”

Madushka reached his second test fifty off 80 balls, when he punched offspinner Mehidy Hasan to mid-off for a single.

But just after his half-century, he was run out after sharing a 96-run opening stand with Karunaratne.

Karunaratne raised his 37th test half-century off 93 balls. He and Kusal further frustrated Bangladesh’s bowlers, sharing 114 for the second wicket.

Mahmud finally got the better of Karunaratne for his first test wicket when the batter dragged a length delivery back on to his stumps.

Mendis, who brought up his 18th test fifty off 87 balls, appeared to be heading toward his 10th century. However, after sharing 53 runs with Angelo Mathews, Mendis was baffled by the turn that Shakib extracted from the pitch. He hit 11 fours and one six in his innings.

Mahmud dismissed Mathews for 23, when he got the outside edge of the bat.

De Silva and Chandimal then steered the side past 300.

Sri Lanka made one change from the first test with Asitha Fernando replacing the injured Kasun Rajitha, who took eight wickets overall in the opener.

Shakib and Mahmud — who played 39 white-ball matches for Bangladesh before making his test debut here — replaced fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam for the hosts.

Teams:

Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.

Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis. File
| Photo Credit: AFP

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bat first on March 18 in the series-deciding third one-day cricket international against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka levelled the series with a three-wicket victory in the second game following a six-wicket loss in the opener.

The visitors made one change with off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana returning to replace injured pace bowler Dilshan Madushanka.

Bangladesh made three changes for its quest to seal a second successive ODI series victory over Sri Lanka.

Batter Anamul Haque, paceman Mustafizur Rahman and legspinner Rishad Hossain replaced Liton Das, Tanzim Hasan and Taijul Islam. The ODI series will be followed by two test matches.

Line-ups:

Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara.

Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara (left) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Thushara’s third wicket in the match, during the third and last Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on March 9, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Opener Kusal Mendis hit a brilliant 86 and pacer Nuwan Thushara added a career-best 5-20 including a hat trick as Sri Lanka cruised to a 28-run victory over Bangladesh in the final T20 to win the series 2-1 on Saturday.

Sri Lanka won the first match by three runs but Bangladesh levelled with an eight-wicket victory.

Mendis’ 55-ball knock that included six fours and as many sixes single-handedly drove the side to 174-6 and then Thushara, playing his first game in the series, ripped through top-order in a swing bowling display.

“This is our last series before the World, so we take a lot of confidence from this,” Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga said.

“It’s Thushara’s first game this series, he bowled really well,” he added. “This is a good series win for us and just think our bowling attack was too good for them.”

Rishad Hossain hit seven sixes, the highest by a Bangladesh batter in this format in an innings, for his 30-ball 53 as Bangladesh recovered from 32-6 to be all out for 146 in 19.4 overs.

Thushara, the replacement of injured Matheesha Pathirana, took four wickets in his two overs including a hat trick to ruin Bangladesh’s hope to seal its first-ever T20 series victory against Sri Lanka.

Dhananjaya de Silva broke through with the wicket of Liton Das (7) and then in next over, Thushara joined the party. He removed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (1) and Towhid Hridoy by rattling their stump before trapping Mahmudullah for leg-before. Mahmudullah reviewed in vain as Thushara became the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to achieve a hat trick in this format.

In his next over, Thushara got the better of Soumya Sarkar, and then Hasanranga dismissed Jaker Ali (4) to leave Bangladesh 32-6.

“We have to be careful going forward how we play in the first six overs,” Shanto said. “If you look at all three matches, we played some good cricket. Especially the way Rishad, Taskin (Ahmed) and Mahedi (Hasan) batted, really happy for them.”

Earlier when Bangladesh put Sri Lanka into bat first for the third time in a row in the series, Kusal Mendis led the charge with the second best 19 not out coming from Dasun Shanaka.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who claimed 2-25, broke through with the wicket of De Silva.

Kusal put on 34 with Kamindu Mendis (12) and 59 with Hasaranga (15) to lay the platform.

Taskin took the crucial wicket of Kusal to deny him the century. His dismissal also sparked a mini-collapse, denying Sri Lanka a chance to take its total past 200.

The teams will also play three one-day internationals and two test matches to conclude the tour.

Fluent knock: Samarawickrama’s 72-ball 93 was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s innings.
| Photo Credit: AP

Birthday boy Dasun Shanaka was also the man with the golden arm as the Sri Lanka skipper picked three wickets to help his side defend 257 against Bangladesh in a Super 4s match of the Asia Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

The host’s 21-run win extended its winning run in ODIs to 13 games, second only to Australia’s 21-match streak in 2003, and virtually eliminated Bangladesh.

Shanaka made early incisions by getting the better of the openers with the short ball, and when Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy (82, 97b, 7×4, 1×6) looked poised to make a match of it with a resolute 72-run stand for the fifth wicket, his slower ball sent Rahim back and snapped the crowd out of slumber.

With the tail exposed, Hridoy upped the ante but was trapped in front by Maheesh Theekshana’s carrom ball before Matheesha Pathirana’s slinging yorkers ended Bangladesh’s challenge in the 49th over.

Earlier, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have reached 256 for nine had it not been for Sadeera Samarawickrama’s career-best 72-ball 93.

The 28-year-old accelerated seamlessly after reaching his 45-ball half-century. His delicate six in the last over off Taskin Ahmed, a carving motion over point, epitomised his ability to keep the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace with little belligerence.

Kusal Mendis (50, 73b, 6×4, 1×6) flirted with danger. He was dropped at deep square-leg when he pulled Shoriful Islam for his first six. Soon after reaching his fifty off 69 balls with a pulled four, he was caught trying to ramp a bouncer from Islam.

His injection of intent, however, was the need of the hour after Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed put a stranglehold on the scoring rate. They built on the platform laid by Taskin and Hasan Mahmud, who got the new ball to talk, but their efforts were decisively overshadowed by Samarawickrama’s knock.

The scores: Sri Lanka 257/9 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 40, Kusal Mendis 50, Sadeera Samarawickrama 93, Taskin Ahmed 3/62, Hasan Mahmud 3/57) bt Bangladesh 236 in 48.1 overs (Towhid Hridoy 82, Maheesh Theekshana 3/69, Dasun Shanaka 3/28, Matheesha Pathirana 3/58).

Toss: Bangladesh.

PoM: Samarawickrama.