On a slow-churning Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Chattogram, Bangladesh removed two wickets after taking a first innings lead of 68 runs. At the close of play on Wednesday, the visitors were 39/2 in 17.1 overs with Taijul Islam on the spell. Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on 18 having faced 45 testing deliveries on a top that has already started producing variable bounce and turn. And they still trail by 29 runs.
Earlier in the day, Mushfiqur Rahim hit a patient 105 off 282 balls, en route to becoming the first Bangladesh batter to score 5000 Test runs, in 81 matches; while Tamim Iqbal, who had retired hurt on Day 3, returned only to get dismissed off the first ball (133 off 218). He was in fact within touching distance to reach the aforementioned landmark. He has 4981 runs in 66 matches. Litton Das also contributed with 88 off 189, giving Rahim crucial support. For Sri Lanka, pacers Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha took three and four wickets. Catch Day 4 highlights and cricket sores of BAN vs SL, first Test match:
5:37 PM IST: Stumps
Taijul Islam continues. And cleans up the nightwatchman. Lasith Embuldeniya bowled for 2 off 21. Through the gate. And that's all for today.
Sri Lanka trail by 29 runs. SL - 39/2 (17.1) & 397; BAN - 465
5:30 PM IST: Survives
Taijul Islam on. Three dots, and wicket. Lasith Embuldeniya given out LBW. Sri Lanka take the review immediately. No bat involved says the TV umpire. Impact outside line and not out. Embuldeniya survives on 2. Sri Lanka trail by 29 runs. SL - 39/1 (15.4)
5:24 PM IST: Tidy Over
Artificial lights on. Nayeem Hasan on with his 8th over. A single from it. Dimuth Karunaratne and Lasith Embuldeniya unbeaten on 18 off 40 and 2 off 14. Sri Lanka trail by 29 runs. SL - 39/1 (15)
5:14 PM IST: Run Out
Shakib Al Hasan continues. Five dots, and a massive mix-up. Dimuth Karunaratne plays the last ball to midwicket, but Taijul Islam hits the target and caught a diving Oshada Fernando short at the bowler's end. Fernando was already halfway down when he was forced to make the u-turn. Lasith Embuldeniya is the nightwatchman. Sri Lanka trail by 32 runs. SL - 36/1 (11.5)
5:04 PM IST: Good Start
Shakib Al Hasan on with his fourth over. Five dots, and Oshada Fernando sweeps the last ball for a four. Sri Lanka trail by 35 runs. SL - 33/0 (10)
4:43 PM IST: LBW Shout
Nayeem Hasan continues. Oshada Fernando takes a couple off the second, then a huge shout for LBW. Ball drifting down leg, missing. A single, and Dimuth Karunaratne takes a couple off the last ball. Five from the over. Sri Lanka trail by 53 runs. SL - 15/0 (5)
4:26 PM IST: Play Resumes
Nayeem Hasan, off-spinner, with the new ball. Oshada Fernando takes the first strike. His opening partner is Dimuth Karunaratne. A maiden. 23 overs remaining in the day's play. SL - 0/0 (1)
4:14 PM IST: Innings Break
Kasun Rajitha (4/24) on with his 25th over. Shoriful Islam goes for a swing and he's in some pain. On the ground soon after playing the soon. And that's the end of the innings. He is retired out/hurt on 3 off 11. Is this a declaration? Bangladesh's lead is 68 runs. BAN - 465/9; SL - 397
4:06 PM IST: Nine Down
Asitha Fernando on with his 26th over. A dot, and the wicket of Taijul Islam (20 off 44). Caught at fine leg by skipper Dimuth Karunaratne. Short ball doing the damage. Third for Fernando. Khaleed Ahmed is the new man. Bangladesh lead by 68 runs. BAN 465/9 (169.2)
3:50 PM IST: Drinks
Kasun Rajitha on with his 23rd over. Single off the second ball. And another dot off the third. Shoriful Islam asking for the physio. Drinks. Bangladesh lead by 60 runs. BAN - 457/8 (166.3)
3:36 PM IST: Hasan Goes
Dhananjaya de Silva returns for his 17th over. And he gets the wicket of Nayeem Hasan (9 off 53), caught by sub fielder Kamindu Mendis short leg. Easy take. Shoriful Islam is the new man. Bangladesh lead by 53 runs. BAN - 450/8 (164)
3:12 PM IST: Rahim Goes
Lasith Embuldeniya on and he gets the big wicket. Mushfiqur Rahim (105 off 282), bowled behind his leg while going for a sweep. Failing to read the line. And the wicket for a spinner in the innings. Taijul Islam is the new man. Bangladesh lead by 42 runs. BAN - 439/7 (157.1)
3:04 PM IST: Play Resumes
Lasith Embuldeniya with the first over after tea. A maiden to Nayeem Hasan. Embuldeniya's figures: 0/95 in 44 overs. Last wicket to fall: Shakib Al Hasan (26 off 44) off Asitha Fernando, caught behind, in 145th over. BAN - 436/6 (156)
2:44 PM IST: Tea
Ramesh Mendis on with his 42nd over. Two singles from it. Still no success for his (0/115). 16 runs and one wicket in the last ten overs. 21 overs, a little over 51 runs for three wickets in the session. Sri Lanka's session for sure. Mushfiqur Rahim and Nayeem Hasan are unbeaten on 104 runs off 280 balls and 4 off 24 respectively. Bangladesh take a lead of 39 runs. BAN - 436/6 (155)
2:33 PM IST: Rahim Ton
Asitha Fernando on with his 25th over. Mushfiqur Rahim finds the gap at find leg for a four, and his 100. In 270 balls, with the help of four fours. Grind! Now eight Test hundreds, to go with three double tons and 25 fifties in 149 innings. Bangladesh lead by 35 runs. BAN - 432/6 (152.3)
2:20 PM IST: Rahim Nears Ton
Lasith Embuldeniya continues. Two runs from the over. His figures so far: 0/93 in 41 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim and Nayeem Hasan not out on 97 off 264 and 0 off 10 respectively. Bangladesh lead by 28 runs. BAN - 425/6 (150)
1:58 PM IST: Shakib Goes
Asitha Fernando on with his 22nd over. Shakib Al Hasan looks to pull the first ball, but ends up guiding it to wicketkeeper. He goes for 26 off 44. Nayeem Hasan is the new man. Mushfiqur Rahim not out on 93. Bangladesh lead by 24 runs. BAN - 421/6 (146.1)
1:41 PM IST: Drinks
Dhananjaya de Silva on with his 14th over. A single from it. His figures so far: 0/41, including two maidens. Bangladesh lead by 21 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim (91 off 246) and Shakib Al Hasan (25 off 36) are in an unbeaten 33-run stand. BAN - 418/5 (144)
1:19 PM IST: Scores Level
TV umpire Joel Wilson now joins Sharfuddoula in the middle. No update yet on Richard Kettleborough status. Masudar Rahman will now be the third umpire.
And Ramesh Mendis continues. A dot, and a couple for Shakib Al Hasan, past cordon. Scores level. BAN - 397/5 (139.2)
1:14 PM IST: PIay Stops
Kasun Rajitha continues. Three runs from his 18th over. His figures so far: 4/40. Meanwhile, umpire Richard Kettleborough has gone off the field. Heat and humidity taking a toll. Bangladesh trail by 2 runs. BAN - 395/5 (139)
1:05 PM IST: Shakib Survives
Ramesh Mendis on with his 39th over. Five dots and checking for a catch. Soft signal not out. Shakib Al Hasan, on the front foot, flicks and the fielder at short leg scoops up the 'catch'. Looks like fingers are under the ball. And it's not out. Shakib survives on 7 off 17. Mushfiqur Rahim on 85 off 227. Bangladesh trail by 5 runs. BAN - 392/5 (138)
12:44 PM IST: On Hat-trick
Kasun Rajitha strikes first ball after lunch. Litton Das poked and is caught behind. Out for 88 in 189. And that ended a resolute 165-run stand for the fifth wicket. Tamim Iqbal, who retired hurt yesterday, returned only to be bowled the very first ball. Iqbal out for 133 in 218. Bangladesh trail by 12 runs. BAN - 385/5 (134.2)
12:02 PM IST: Lunch
Lasith Embuldeniya on with his 40th over. Singles off the last two balls. And lunch. Bangladesh's morning. Mushfiqur Rahim (85 off 222) and Litton Das (88 off 188) are in an unbeaten 165-run stand from 373 balls. They trail by 12 runs. BAN - 385/3 (134)
11:43 AM IST: Review Lost
Ramesh Mendis on with his 35th over. Sri Lanka take a review for LBW against Litton Das (84 off 176) off the last ball. Impact on line but missing leg stump. Review lost. Das and Mushfiqur Rahim have added 155 runs in 343 balls for the fifth wicket. 85 overs of spin without a wicket for Sri Lanka in the match. Bangladesh trail by 22 runs. BAN - 375/3 (129)
11:14 AM IST: Rahim Record
Mushfiqur Rahim takes a couple off the second ball, off the gloves, and he becomes the first-ever Bangladesh player to score 5000 runs in Test cricket. In 81 matches. 17 years in international cricket, and he's still going strong. Rahim, 35, made his Test debut against England at Lord's in 2005. Bangladesh trail by 37 runs. 360/3 (122.2)
10:59 AM IST: Scoring Rate Stunted
Lasith Embuldeniya continues. Two singles from his 33rd over. Bangladesh have added 25 runs in the last ten overs, and the fifth-wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim (66 off 177) and Litton Das (76 off 150) is now worth 134 in 289 balls. Bangladesh trail by 43 runs. BAN - 354/3 (120)
10:36 AM IST: Deficit 50
Kasun Rajitha on with his 15th over. Three runs, including a front-foot no-ball. Mushfiqur Rahim (63 off 158) and Litton Das (72 off 138) in an unbeaten 127-run stand. Bangladesh trail by 50 runs. BAN 347/3 (115)
10:07 AM IST: 100-run Stand
Kasun Rajitha win the second over today. Three singles. Bangladesh trail by 70 runs. BAN - 327/3 (109)
In the previous over, Ramesh Mendis conceded six runs including a four, hit by Litton Das off the second. And hundred-run stand for Das and Mushfiqur Rahim.
9:59 AM IST: Play Begins
Players are in the middle. Ramesh Mendis to start. Mushfiqur Rahim (53) to take the strike. Litton Das (54) is his partner. Still very good surface to bat on, reckoned the pundits.
9:38 AM IST: Play to start 10:00 AM IST.
9:31 AM IST: Delay
The start has been delayed due to wet ground. Umpires are having an inspection. There was overnight rain.
8:41 AM IST: Day 3 Recap
Bangladesh started the day on 76 without loss, and Tamim on 35. He went after the Sri Lankan bowlers aggressively, hitting Vishwa Fernando for consecutive boundaries in the first two balls he faced. Fernando, who was hit on the helmet during Sri Lanka's innings, went for a medical checkup after bowling just four overs and was ruled out of the match.
Tamim and the more restrained Mahmudul Hasan added 81 runs in 28 unblemished overs in the morning to reach lunch at 157 without loss. Bangladesh's first opening century stand in more than five years ended moments after lunch on 162 when Mahmudul edged pacer Asitha Fernando behind down the leg side. Mahmudul scored 58 off 142 balls, with nine boundaries.
Sri Lanka had more joy when medium-pacer Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando's concussion replacement, had Najmul Hossain caught behind for 1 and bowled captain Mominul Haque for 2. Mominul has gone for five single-digit figures in a row and 10 in his last 13 innings.
Bangladesh lost three wickets for 22 runs to be 184/3. But Tamim continued in attack mode and brought up his 10th test century off 162 balls, flicking Asitha for a single through midwicket.
He and Mushfiqur helped Bangladesh regain control. Tamim was dropped on 114 and reached tea on 133 including 15 boundaries, but the effort in the hot and humid conditions forced him to retire, 19 runs from 5,000 in tests.
Mushfiqur, largely watchful, and Liton Das, the aggressor, continued to wear down the Sri Lanka bowlers with their near-century stand from 35 overs. Mushfiqur raised his 26th half-century off 125 balls and Liton his 11th off 96. Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi to 5,000 Test runs.
