Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Test heading for a draw

Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne struck his maiden double century while Dhananjaya de Silva gave him apt support as Sri Lanka prevented Bangladesh from taking any advantage on a placid deck on day four of the first Test at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday.

Before the bad light stopped the proceedings of the day, Sri Lanka reached 512-3 in its first innings after Bangladesh declared on 541-7. They are still training by 29 runs but just a day of game is left, the match seemed set to taper towards a draw.

Karunaratne was batting on 234 with Dhananjaya de Silva on 154 after they put on a record 322-run for an undefeated fourth wicket stand, keeping Bangladesh frustrated throughout the day four.

Karunaratne’s 429-ball knock was laced with 25 boundaries while Dhananjaya smote 20 fours in his 278-ball knock.

As Sri Lanka resumed the day on 229-3, still 13 runs adrift of avoiding the follow-on, Bangladesh sensed a chance to hurl the baton. But the way the duo dominated the bowlers, Bangladesh soon found them in wanting.

They demonstrated a patience and determination to deny Bangladesh bowlers and kept the side unscathed in scorching heat in Kandy. This is the 25th instance in Test cricket history that a single wicket doesn’t fall in a day.

Karunaratne flicked a Taskin Ahmed delivery through mid-wicket for doubles to reach his 11th century. His third century as captain and second ton against Bangladesh came off 247 balls but he didn’t stop there. He then cut it late square on the off-side for a single off Abu Jayed Rahi bowling to reach his 150.

Karunaratne however became the first player to hit a double century at Pallekele Stadium when he edged a Taskin delivery through third man for boundary. He played 387 balls to reach the landmark, which meant his second hundred came off just 140 balls.

He showed the aggression as he tried to bring up a result from the placid deck but bad light which firstly stopped the game for 15 minutes before brought an end to the day, seemed to deny his attempt.

Dhananjaya’s intent was to attack right from the beginning as Sri Lankan searched for quick runs unlike Bangladesh. He pulled Taskin for boundary through deep square to complete his seventh hundred off 153 balls after the lunch session. He hit the same bowler for mid-wicket boundary to bring up his 150 off 274 balls.

Source: BSS