Mendis lands in Dhaka

Sri Lanka's sensational off-spinner Ajanta Mendis (R) enters the Sheraton Hotel yesterday. The young tweaker missed the on-going first Test due to ankle injury but is likely to be available for the second Test starting at Chittagong on January 3.Photo: STAR

Fit-again spinner Ajantha Mendis arrived in Dhaka yesterday to join the touring Sri Lanka to play the second Test and the tri-nation one-day tournament.
The mystery off-spinner missed the ongoing first Test after injuring his ankle while bowling for Army SC in his first match of the domestic season against Tamil Union.
Initially it was told that he would miss the two-match Test series, a reason why left-arm spinner Rangana Hearth had been included in the squad as replacement but Mendis recovered quickly to be available for the rest of the series.
The second and final Test will be held from January 3-7 at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium while the tri-nation kicks off with the match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe on January 10 at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur.
"My ankle is alright now and I am not feeling any pain," Mendis told reporters on his arrival.
The arrival of Mendis meant that it would be a double headache for the Tigers in the second Test after champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran continued his surge against Mohammad Ashraful's men by taking six wickets in the first innings.
The 23-year old army officer Mendis had tested the vaunted Indian batting line-up and played a key role in his team's 2-1 series victory at home in August this year, grabbing 26 wickets in his debut series.
He is also in line to become the fastest bowler to reach 50 one-day wickets, having already captured 48 in 18 matches. India's Ajit Agarkar currently holds the record, achieving the feat in 23 one-day internationals.