Sri Lanka score ‘should have been 160-170’ says Khaled Mahmud

It was a day out for the bowlers with 14 wickets tumbling on the opening day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Dhaka.

Bangladesh would have been extremely happy to have restricted Sri Lanka to 222 in 65.3 overs after losing the toss, as Abdur Razzak – making a comeback after four years – and Taijul Islam claimed four wickets apiece to derail the visitors. Sri Lanka, however, struck back to claim four crucial wickets to leave the hosts at 56/4 when play ended on the first day.

Khaled Mahmud, Bangladesh’s coaching director for the series, accepted that Bangladesh were on the back foot, but insisted that there was enough time left in the Test for them to bounce back and force a result.

“Definitely going for the result,” said Mahmud. “We have just finished one day, though we are on the back foot, there is still a long time to go.”

“We need to settle down tomorrow, bat properly, and try to catch Sri Lanka’s score. Then the match is on.”

Bangladesh had Sri Lanka on the ropes at 110/ 6, but a crucial 56 by Roshen Silva and useful contributions by Akila Dananjaya (20) and Dilruwan Perera (31) lower down the order got the tourists past the 200-mark.

Mahmud admitted that Bangladesh could well have restricted the visitors to a lesser score.

“We bowled some long-hops, some easy deliveries, and they punished the loose balls very well,” said Mahmud. “I still think the bowlers bowled well, but 160-170 would have been the par score.”

“When they were 106/6 (110/6), that was the time we should have put a nail in their coffin.

“But Dilruwan and Dhananjaya added 52 runs, and I think the dropped catch (of Perera by Sabbir Rahman) shifted the momentum a little bit. It was a very important catch. It should have been 160-70.”

Bangladesh, then had the worst possible start to their innings with Suranga Lakmal getting rid of Tamim Iqbal in the very first over of the day. What made matters worse was when Mominul Haque, Bangladesh’s star player from the first Test, ran himself out. What should have been a regulation single turned out to be a wicket as Mominul failed to run his bat in properly and was found short.

“That was very lazy,” said Mahmud. “We should have been 50-60/1, instead we are 56/4.

“Had the run-out not happened, we might have been 60/1. It was a bit shocking in the dressing room as well, the way he ran and not dragging the bat.”

Bangladesh still trail Sri Lanka by 166 runs and could be in for a hard grind on the second day with just six wickets in hand. Mahmud, however, was hopeful that with Mahmuddulah, the skipper, and Sabbir Rahman, will be able to get the hosts close to the Sri Lankan score.

“We know the wicket will turn, it is not unexpected,” said Mahmud. “We have Liton and Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the centre, and Mahmudullah and Sabbir still to come."

“If we bat disciplined, and play aggressive in these conditions, choose the right balls to hit, I think we can go close to the Sri Lankan score.”