Dhananjaya de Silva (left) and Dimuth Karunarathn added 252 for the fourth wicket for hosts Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first cricket Test against Bangladesh in Pallekele yesterday (24). Photo SLC[/caption]
FLASH
1st Test 5th day morning session just before lunch:
SL 1st innings 634/7 (Dimuth Karunaratne 244, Dhananjaya de SIlva 166, Pathum Nissanka 12, Niroshan Dickwella 31, Wanindu Hasaranga 34 n.o., Suranga Lakmal 18 n.o.; Taskin Ahmed 3/112)===
An unbeaten 322-run fourth-wicket partnership between Dimuth Karunaratne (234 n.o.) and Dhananjaya de Silva (154 n.o.) meant Sri Lanka reduced their first -innings deficit to 29.
Captain Karunaratne led the defiance for Sri Lanka on day four as he smashed his first double hundred in Tests which was followed by reinforcement from de Silva who struck his seventh century in the format. The pair remained unbeaten as hapless Bangladesh went wicketless through the day.
The barrage of counter-offense from the hosts came from both ends. Karunaratne and de Silva gave their side the desired start to the morning as they negotiated the second new ball and scored 102 runs in the first session with Karunaratne reaching the three-figure mark for the 11th time in Tests.
The duo upped the ante beginning the second session. Bangladesh bowlers leaked runs, 37 runs in five overs after lunch, with 24 coming off Ebador Hossain’s two overs.
Then, de Silva reached the hundred milestone with a boundary to mark his second ton against Bangladesh in this format. The hosts took charge of the second session as they scored 111 runs.
The day came to halt with clouds blocking the sun making light unsuitable to resume play. The third session commenced once the sun glistened through the dark clouds providing the spotlight for skipper Karunaratne to reach his maiden double century.
Anxious to reach this milestone, Karunaratne played a false shot that induced an edge but to his favour, the ball fell short of the wicketkeeper and travelled to the boundary rope.
The day once again came to a halt when the umpires deemed light unsatisfactory to continue play with Sri Lanka ending with 512/3 on the scoreboard trailing behind Bangladesh by just 29 runs.
SCORECARD
Bangladesh 1st innings 541/7 dec.
Sri Lanka 1st innings (o/n 229/3 in 73 overs)
Dimuth Karunaratne (Capt.) not out 234
Lahiru Thirimanne lbw Hasan 58
Oshada Fernando c Das b Ahmed 20
Angelo Mathews b Islam 25
Dhananjaya de Silva not out 154
Extras (nb 3, w 9, b 4, lb 5) 21
Total (for 3 wickets in 149 overs) 512
Did not bat: Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, and Vishwa Fernando
Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Thirimanne, 38.6 ov), 2-157 (Fernando, 53.3 ov), 3-190 (Mathews, 62.3 ov)
Bowling: Abu Jayed 13-1-58-0 (3w, 1nb), Taskin Ahmed 25-6-91-1, Ebadot Hossain 17-1-82-0 (5w, 2nb), Mehidy Hasan 52-6-123-1 (1w), Taijul Islam 39-9-136-1, Mominul Haque 1-0-8-0, Saif Hassan 2-0-5-0