Karunaratne Half-century Helps Sri Lanka Extend Lead Over Bangladesh To 211

SYLHET, Bangladesh: Opener Dimuth Karunaratne’s half-century helped Sri Lanka tighten its grip on the sequence opening check towards Bangladesh on Saturday.

In reply to Sri Lanka’s 280 all out, Bangladesh was bowled out for 188 with pacer Vishwa Fernando taking 4-48.

Sri Lanka then padded its 92-run benefit on the primary innings by reaching 119-5 at stumps on Day 2 and lengthening its result in 211 runs.

The Sri Lankans, who’ve by no means misplaced a check in Bangladesh, had been starting to really feel assured of one other good end result.

“The way the pitch is behaving at the moment sees some variable bounce. It’s not easy to score runs,” Sri Lanka tempo bowling coach Dharshana Gamage stated. “If we can stretch the lead to 300 or more, it’ll be very advantageous to us.”

Naturally, Bangladesh needs to restrict the injury as a lot as attainable on Sunday.

“We got wickets in the end, but we were unlucky not to pick up more wickets,” Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp stated. “They are leading by 211 runs. If we can get early wickets tomorrow morning, we could be looking at a 250 chase.”

Karunaratne held the second innings collectively whereas wickets fell round him.

Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana, who had first innings figures of 3-87, dealt a double strike to go away Sri Lanka at 32-2.

Rana, who completed with 2-42, had opener Nishan Madushka caught behind Das for 10 with a supply that moved sharply to take the surface edge.

He then took the massive wicket of Kusal Mendis on 3 with a bouncer.

Spinners Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan put Sri Lanka in additional hassle by dismissing Angelo Mathews (22) and Dinesh Chandimal (0) in consecutive overs.

But Karunaratne held agency with 52 off 101 balls to make sure Sri Lanka’s lead handed 200.

Karunaratne and captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who hit a century within the first innings, had a 49-run partnership for the fifth wicket till pacer Shoriful Islam employed a brief ball trick to get the higher of Karunaratne, who hit seven fours and one six.

De Silva was on 23 with nightwatchman Vishwa Fernando on 2 at stumps.

Fernando earlier wrecked Bangladesh with sensible tempo bowling to assist Sri Lanka earn a wholesome lead. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara (3-31) and Kasun Rajitha (3-56) performed their half effectively to weaken Bangladesh additional.

“We are disappointed not to have batted for more than 51 overs,” Hemp stated. “It is a little bit frustrating but it is what it is.”

Taijul Islam, the nightwatchman on Day 1, top-scored for the aspect with 47 and Liton Das made 25.

Resuming the day at 32-3, Taijul began with a 4 by way of level off Rajitha however Sri Lanka wanted little or no time to strike.

Kumara dismissed Mahmudul Hasan for 12 with a fuller, swinging supply that took the surface edge. Kumara’s probing line and size bagged Shahadat Hossain with further bounce. He additionally bowled Das with a full supply after tormenting him repeatedly. Das, who scored 25 off 43 with 4 boundaries, added 41 runs with Taijul.

Fernando, who took two wickets on Day 1, cleaned up the tail.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)