Mushfiqur ton guides Bangladesh to lead over Sri Lanka

Thursday, 19 May 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on 18 May – AFP

35-year-old right-hander becomes first Bangladeshi to pass 5,000 runs
SL loses 2 wickets for 39 in second innings after Bangladesh garners 465 in its first innings

CHITTAGONG, AFP: Mushfiqur Rahim struck his eighth Test century and became the first Bangladeshi to pass 5,000 runs as the hosts took the upper hand in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Bangladesh were all out for 465 runs with a first-innings lead of 68 when the last man Shoriful Islam was unable to carry on his innings after a blow to the hand while batting. Sri Lanka then lost two wickets to reach 39-2 in 17.1 overs in their second innings before stumps were drawn on the fourth day, reducing their deficit to 29.

Oshada Fernando was run out for 19 with a direct throw by Taijul Islam from midwicket. The left-arm spinner later bowled nightwatchman Lasith Embuldeniya for two and stumps were taken immediately after with Dimuth Karunaratne 18 not out at the other end. Embuldeniya was earlier given out caught at silly point off Taijul on the same score, but he survived on review.

Mushfiqur earlier made the most significant contribution in Bangladesh’s innings on the day when he made 105 off 282 balls before Embuldeniya bowled him in the third over of the final session. Pace bowler Kasun Rajitha led the Sri Lankan bowling attack with 4-60, playing the match as a concussion substitute for Vishwa Fernando.

Rajitha dismissed Litton Das and Tamim Iqbal in the first two balls after lunch before Asitha Fernando removed Shakib Al Hasan for 26 to halt Bangladesh’s progress. The hosts were hoping for some quick runs before a possible declaration after Litton and Mushfiqur survived the opening session of the day to share 165 runs for the third wicket. But Litton fell for 88 right after the break chasing a Rajitha ball wide outside the off stump only to edge to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Tamim, who retired after scoring 133 runs on the third day, returned after Litton’s dismissal but survived just one ball. Rajitha swung the ball sharply in to uproot the middle stump as Tamim ended his fine, 218-ball innings that featured 15 boundaries. Shakib gave a catch at forward short leg on seven off Ramesh Mendis which fell just short of the fielder.

He hit three quick boundaries to show some intent and just when he started looking dangerous, Fernando struck. The right-arm pace bowler beat Shakib with a short ball which took a top-edge and became Dickwella’s fourth catch in the innings. Mushfiqur glanced Fernando for his fourth boundary to bring up his hundred, having passed 5,000 Test runs earlier in the morning session.

The 35-year-old right-hander reached the milestone when he nudged Fernando towards fine-leg for two runs, to cheers from a sparse crowd at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. His dismissal was followed by Taijul’s 20 off 45 balls. Fernando, who returned figures of 3-72, removed Taijul before Sri Lanka wrapped up the Bangladesh innings.