Can Sri Lanka handle turn on final day?
Taijul Islam got one to land pretty far outside the off stump and then turn sharply inwards that went through the gap between Lasith Embuldenya's bat and pad before castling the left-hander. That turned out to be the last delivery of the day as the players went off but not before that delivery had turned the complexion of the game itself as Sri Lanka now look to save the Test match on the final day of the match today.
The wicket had neither shown sharp turn nor had much in the way for the faster bowlers, in terms of seam movement over four days. Sri Lanka's 397 in the first innings was followed by Bangladesh's 465. Angelo Mathews's 199, Tamim Iqbal's 133, Mushfiqur Rahim's 105 and Liton Das's 88 all vouch to a great batting track for the last four days but things may have slightly tilted in the Tigers' favour in that last session yesterday as Lankans lost two wickets. Taijul was also the instigator for Bangladesh bagging the wicket of Osahada Fernando, run out after a sharp direct hit.
Taijul's sharp turners, Shakib Al Hasan's wily variations and Nayeem Hasan's reading of the batters may go a long way into Bangladesh having a say in this game on the final day by bowling Lankans out and getting the required runs quickly. Sri Lanka are still 29 runs behind but they appear confident despite being 39 for 2.
"Yeah I'm sure we can survive," pacer Kasun Rajitha, who bagged four for 60 runs, said about his side's chances of drawing the match.
Lankans, however, will be wary of the turn. "Wicket is really good for the batsmen. Little bit turn now on the fourth day and I think good turn tomorrow [today] as well," Rajitha said.
That turn can go a long way into defining what will happen today. How much Sri Lanka can progress and if they will be able to pressure Bangladesh late in the day, will depend upon what happens in the first session. Bangladesh's lead was small in the end but the spinners may be able to force a result.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Bangladesh V Sri Lanka (Day 4)
SRI LANKA: First Innings -- 397 all out and Second Innings -- 39 for 2 in 17.1 overs (Karunaratne 18 not out, Fernando 19; Taijul 1-0, Shakib 0-12)
BANGLADESH: First Innings -- 465 all out in 170.1 overs (Tamim Iqbal 133 retired hurt, Mushfiqur 105, Liton 88; Rajitha 4-60, Asitha 3-72)
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