Sarkar leads reply after Sri Lanka hits 494

Although Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal forged a century opening stand, Sri Lanka grabbed two late wickets to claim the advantage on the second day of the first Test between the two sides at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday (March 8).

Bangladesh ended the day at 133 for 2, trailing by 361, after Kusal Mendis (194), Niroshan Dickwella (75) and Dilruwan Perera (51) boosted Sri Lanka’s first-innings total to 494.

Sarkar led the response for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 66 after his 118-run opening stand ended with a run-out for his partner, Tamim Iqbal, after he had scored a patient 112-ball 57 with six fours. Dickwella, the wicketkeeper, had appealed for a caught behind against Tamim off Lakshan Sandakan and then removed the bails quickly even as Tamim ran down for a single.

Mominul Haque (7) fell lbw Perera to put Sri Lanka ahead in the contest.

Both Sarkar and Tamim made the most of their luck when they were at the crease. Perera dropped Sarkar on four at gully, while Dickwella missed a chance off Tamim on 28.

Earlier, Mendis missed out on a maiden double-century as he attempted to reach his milestone with a flourish but was caught by Tamim on the long-on boundary off Mehedi Hasan. Tamim ran backwards to take the catch, lobbing the ball back into the field as his feet crossed the ropes and then pouching it again. Mendis hit 19 fours and four sixes in his seven-and-a-half-hour stay at the crease.

Mendis, 22, who was unbeaten on 166 overnight, was previously handed a life when Subashis Roy had him caught behind off the first ball he had faced but was found to have over-stepped. He was also almost dismissed when he belted his first six of the morning, as Mustafizur Rahman took a catch off Roy but stepped on the rope on the fine-leg boundary in the process.

After Mendis was sent back, Mehedi (4-113) removed Dickwella as he gave a catch to Mahmudullah at midwicket after making 75 off 76 balls. Dickwella, who added 110 with Mendis for the fifth wicket off just 124 balls, hit six fours and a six in his breezy knock.

Bangladesh's spirits, however, were lifted as Mustafizur snared Rangana Herath for 14 and Suranga Lakmal was run out for eight. Mehedi trapped Dilruwan Perera in front on 51 before taking a brilliant catch to remove Sandakan, the last man, off Shakib Al Hasan's bowling.