Boldness in Dubai, not so in Mirpur
Even though an international game was taking place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday, the cricket lovers' attention was divided between actions on the field on the second day of the first Test and happenings off it, in a boardroom in Dubai.
While news of Bangladesh's bold stance against the Big Three's controversial proposal was a source of encouragement and inspiration, the Tigers' on-field showing, especially the dropped catches at the beginning of the day's play, turned out to be a dampener.
The latest news from Dubai will certainly ease the tension among cricket fans regarding the country's future in Test cricket, but Mushfiqur Rahim's men were ill at ease as Sri Lanka strengthened their position by taking a 143-run lead with five wickets in hand at stumps.
On a chilly afternoon the small crowd were charmed by silky strokeplay from Mahela Jayawardene, which followed a fortuitous maiden century from Kaushal Silva. But passions rose late in the day when two quick wickets by the local bowlers warmed the faithful and ended another day that belonged to the visitors.
A gem of a delivery from leading left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan that clipped the bails of Dinesh Chandimal and off-spinner Shohag Gazi's wicket of night-watchman Suranga Lakmal brought some solace for the home side, but Jayawardene's presence as an overnight batsman will temper their hopes.
If purposeless batting on the first day put the Tigers in danger, then missing chances one after another on the second day put the match all but out of their grasp, and unfortunately captain Mushfiqur was the main culprit.
Pacer Al Amin Hossain was the most unlucky man yesterday. Like his pace colleagues Rubel Hossain and Robiul Islam the right-arm paceman lacked penetration but made up for that by bowling in the right channels.
Lady luck finally smiled in his favour when Kumar Sangakkara, after playing out the second session with Silva, played a loose cut to edge to first slip where Nasir Hossain held a one-handed catch on the third attempt. The catch came as a huge relief following the earlier sloppiness.
The diminutive right-hander Silva had showed his strength of patience but he must thank his luck for making 139 runs.
Shakib provided the long-awaited breakthrough by removing Dimuth Karunaratne but Bangladesh could have also had the wicket of the other opener as the bowlers created opportunities in overcast morning conditions that assisted the seamers.
Keeper Mushfiqur grassed a simple catch when Silva was on 39 as the right-hander was squared up by Al Amin's probing line outside off. The same batsman edged the same bowler again but unfortunately the Al Amin's back foot knocked the non-striker's bail off before delivery and as per the recent amendment to the laws, it was declared a no-ball.
Then it was Shamsur Rahman who deprived Al Amin again when Silva, then on 42, drove away from the body and edged low to the debutant who failed to catch it to his right at gully.
Silva however played some brilliant shots during and ordinary post-lunch bowling from spinners Shakib and Gazi, who were guilty of dropping too short, helped both Silva and Sangakkara improve the run rate.
Bangladesh skipper re-introduced his best bowler Al Amin after taking the new ball and the ploy worked as the pacer got rid of Sangakkara while Silva was finally trapped leg-before by Shakib after surviving a close call and yet another dropped catch, also by Mushfiqur.
Despite the amateurish fielding effort Bangladesh claimed five wickets. The visitors however managed 315 runs on the day, so the hosts not only have to bowl well today but also need a good fielding effort to limit the damage.
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