Bangladesh ‘Tigers’ whipped by Lankan ‘Lions’
The deteriorating pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club became Prabath Jayasuriya’s playground as Sri Lanka delivered a superb performance to secure a comprehensive innings and 78-run victory over Bangladesh in the second and final Test on Saturday.
The triumph sealed a 1-0 series win for the hosts, cementing their dominance in what proved to be a one-sided contest from the moment Bangladesh crumbled in their first innings.
When play resumed on the fourth day morning, Bangladesh’s fate was already sealed and Sri Lanka needed only 34 balls to send them packing. Having lost six of their top-order batsmen for a paltry 115 runs and still trailing Sri Lanka’s imposing first-innings total of 458 by 96 runs, the visitors faced an uphill battle that seemed insurmountable. The substantial 211-run first-innings lead had effectively put the match beyond Bangladesh’s reach, transforming the fourth day into a formality rather than a contest.
The deteriorating SSC pitch, which had begun to offer significant turn and bounce, played perfectly into the hands of Sri Lanka’s spin-bowling arsenal. What had started as a good batting surface had gradually transformed into a spinner’s paradise, creating ideal conditions for Jayasuriya to weave his magic.
Jayasuriya, who had endured a relatively quiet period by his own lofty standards throughout the year, rediscovered his devastating form when it mattered most. The left-arm spinner, who had already put Bangladesh on the back foot during the third day’s play by claiming the wickets of Shadman Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim, completed his demolition job on the fourth day morning with a clinical display of spin bowling.
Jayasuriya’s figures of 5 for 56 represented his 12th five-wicket haul in his career, a testament to his growing stature as one of the world’s premier spin bowlers. His ability to extract maximum turn and bounce from the deteriorating surface left Bangladesh’s batsmen completely bewildered, as they struggled to cope with his variations and accuracy.
The morning session belonged entirely to Jayasuriya. Litton Das, Bangladesh’s wicket-keeper and their last recognised batsman, became his first victim of the day when the batter edged a delivery that Kusal Mendis pouched safely behind the stumps. Mendis, who had returned to wicket-keeping duties after recovering from an injury scare, demonstrated sharp reflexes and excellent glovework throughout the innings.
The second dismissal showcased the perfect combination of spin bowling and wicketkeeping. Nayeem Hasan, attempting to negotiate a probing delivery from Jayasuriya, was stumped by Mendis with lightning-quick glovework.
Jayasuriya’s deserved five-wicket haul arrived when Taijul Islam chipped a delivery straight back to the bowler in his third over of the day. The simple caught-and-bowled dismissal was a fitting culmination of a magnificent bowling performance that had systematically dismantled Bangladesh’s batting order.
Ambidextrous Tharindu Ratnayake provided the finishing touches to Sri Lanka’s comprehensive victory, trapping Ebadot Hossain leg-before-wicket just 25 minutes into the fourth day’s play. The decision was straightforward, with the ball crashing into the leg stump. It brought an end to Bangladesh’s misery and confirmed Sri Lanka’s innings victory.
This extended Sri Lanka’s remarkable dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. It was Sri Lanka’s 21st win against Bangladesh in 28 encounters since both teams first faced each other in a Test series in 2002. With only one defeat and six draws in this period, Sri Lanka’s superiority in the longest format against their sub-continental neighbours is undeniable.
While Jayasuriya rightfully claimed the headlines on the fourth day, the foundation for Sri Lanka’s victory was laid by the rest of the bowlers in Bangladesh’s first innings. The combined efforts of seamers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando, along with debutant spinning all-rounder Sonal Dinusha, restricted Bangladesh to a below-par 247 despite favourable batting conditions.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged his team’s batting frailties in the post-match presentation. He admitted that their performance in Colombo paled in comparison to their stronger showing in Galle during the first Test.
Prabath Jayasuriya
“It’s very disappointing the way we batted in the first innings especially after how we finished the first Test in Galle,” said Shanto.
“The way we batted in the first innings wasn’t up to the mark. We had opportunities but we couldn’t make use of those things. The wicket is a little slower but the way we got out was not good enough. We always took easy options and made mistakes while batting”.
Sri Lanka’s commanding position was built on the back of exceptional batting performances in their solitary innings in the match. Opener Pathum Nissanka continued his remarkable form with a magnificent 158, following up his career-best 187 in Galle. His consistency and technique against both pace and spin provided the perfect platform for Sri Lanka’s total.
Dinesh Chandimal contributed a valuable 93, falling agonizingly short of a well-deserved century by just seven runs. Kusal Mendis added firepower with a quick-fire 84, demonstrating his
aggressive intent and helping Sri Lanka post a total that proved beyond Bangladesh’s reach in both innings.
At the end of the Bangladesh series–the first in the current ICC Test Championships cycle, Sri Lanka sits at the third place with 16 points behind Australia and England.
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Bangladesh (2nd innings) |