Chandimal sends strong message with 190 not out against Bangladesh

AFP: Dinesh Chandimal scored an entertaining 190 for a Sri Lankan Board President’s XI Friday as Bangladesh’s bowlers took a battering in a warm-up match ahead of next week’s first Test.

The unbeaten Chandimal, who was captaining the hosts, smashed seven sixes and 21 fours off 253 deliveries at Moratuwa stadium, just outside the capital Colombo, on the second and final day of the match.

After Bangladesh declared their overnight score of 391 for seven, their bowlers had a whole day toiling in the field as the Sri Lankans made 403 for seven, thanks largely to Chandimal and Chamika Karunaratne who hit two sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 50.

Right-arm fast bowler Taskin Ahmed took three wickets for 41 while Mustafizur Rahman took two for 28. Mehedi Hassan and Soumya Sarkar took a wicket apiece.

Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in two Tests, the first starting in Galle on Tuesday, before playing three 50-over internationals and two Twenty20 matches.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 391/7 (Tamim Iqbal 136 ret, Mominul Haque 73 ret) Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI (Karunaratne 3-61, Samarakoon 1-70, Ambuldeniya 1-57)

Sri Lanka 403/7 (Dinesh Chandimal 190 not out, Chamika Karunaratne 50 not out) Bangladesh  Ahmed 3-41, Rahman 2-28, Miraz 1-68, Sarkar 1-53.