Taijul keeps chipping away at SL to give Bangladesh slim chance

Two key strikes from Taijul Islam made sure Bangladesh stayed ahead in the game on day five of the first Test, in Chattogram. For the longest time in the morning, Sri Lanka were in control of proceedings with runs coming thick and fast. However, Taijul, who has so far had a role to play in all four dismissals, removed Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews in quick succession to dent the visitors.

At lunch on the final day, Sri Lanka had taken a lead of 60 runs and reached 128 for 4. Dimuth Karunaratne, was unbeaten on 44 and had Dhananjaya de Silva for company on 12.

Resuming the final day on 39 for 2, it took Sri Lanka all of 24 balls to wipe off the 29-run deficit with Kusal taking the attack to Bangladesh. Sri Lanka's approach was clear from the first over. Kusal was the aggressor while Karunaratne, more circumspect in his approach, rotated the strike well as runs came at a premium in the first hour of the morning.

Kusal started off the day by clattering Taijul for two fours in the first over before slamming Khaled Ahmed for a hattrick of four either side of the wicket. Nayeem Hasan, the hero of the first innings, was not spared either with Kusal pumping him for a four and a six over square leg as Sri Lanka scored 59 runs in the first nine overs of the first session. It did not help that Bangladesh were a bowler short with Shoriful Islam ruled out of the series, after fracturing his right hand courtesy a Kasun Rajitha bouncer late on day three.

With none of the bowlers proving effective, Mominul Haque turned to his two most experienced spinners, Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul, to restore some parity and the duo did not disappoint. While Shakib maintained tight lines, Taijul struck from the other end.

He first removed Kusal with a peach of a delivery that pitched on middle stump to turn and trim the off bail for a 43-ball 48 before accounting for Angelo Mathews with a stunning return catch for a duck. Mathews, who was visibly frustrated having not scored for 14 balls launched a straight drive back at Taijul, who somehow got both hands to it and completed the catch above his head.

There were a few nervy moments for both Karunaratne and De Silva, with the former also suffering from cramps but the duo stuck it out to move to lunch unscathed.

Source: ESPNcricinfo