Rocket Test Series 
Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka Played at SBNCS Dhaka
Scorecard at Stumps on Day Two
Sri Lanka 222 All Out BKG Mendis 68, ARS Silva 56 ,MDKPerera 31 ( AbdurRazzak 4/63 , Taijul Islam 4/83 ) and 200/8 ( ARS Silva 58* , FDM Kularatne 32 , LD Chandimal 30, DMde Silva 30 , MustafizurRahman 3/35 ,Miraj 2/29 ,Taijul Islam 2/72 )

When the day will dawn tomorrow Team tigers would have to resolve committing all its resources and playing out of its skins to trying to reach whatever the final target the Sri Lankans would se. The visitors are already sitting pretty at 312 runs ahead with their last two wickets in tact. Responding to Sri Lanka score of 222 Bangladesh got bundled out for a paltry 110. The last 5 wickets fell for 3 runs. Sri Lanka managed scoring 200/8 by stumps of day two.

At stumps on day two in a test match witnessing 14+14 = 28 wickets tumbling one can make own conclusion about the quality of the wicket. If that test is followed of a test match which saw very high scoring match one gets perplexed about poor vision and questionable planning of the host board. Bangladesh prepared such spin traps against England and Australia in Dhaka and could achieve historic test victories. But in quest of similar success Bangladesh at stumps of day two is already 312 runs behind with Sri Lanka still having last two wickets in tact. If Bangladesh win from here a new history would need to be created at Shere Bangla National stadium Dhaka.  Not that Bangladesh does not possess the resources .But the nature of the surface presents a huge challenge and daunting task. Perhaps Bangladesh leaked at least 50 runs in the first innings and 70 runs in the second innings offering too many boundary balls and dropping few catches.

One can blame the lack of application describing the way Bangladesh batted in the test.Yes the ball was turning and gripping and on odd occasions getting low . But there can be no excuse getting wrapped at 110 after reaching 107/5 at one stage.Seven of the eleven players failed reaching double figures. None could emulate ARS Silva or Mendis. Only young Mehidy batted with composure. But all his experienced seniors let Bangladesh down .Meheidy was left home and dry when wickets tumbled at the other end. Credit must also go to Lankan bowlers who consistently bowled on the right channel making life difficult for Bangladeshis.  We are not sure whether Bangladesh plays domestic cricket even on such wickets.

When Lankans batted second time Bangladesh was required bowling at tight length in efforts of getting them all out cheaply. Mustafiz was bowling at his best. He was looking like getting wickets in every over he bowled, constantly teasing the Lankan batsmen in the corridor of uncertainty. Yet he was under bowled by Mahmudullah. MehediMiraj also looked probing. Bangladeshi fielders missed few catches. Two key bowlers Razzak and Taijul bowled too many boundary balls .All these combined to let Sri Lanka reaching impregnable position in the test. At 200/8 with 312 runs ahead only miracle can stop Sri Lankan from winning the test and the series. Off course miracles happen in cricket. But for that to happen, Bangladesh must bat with a definite plan and strategy. Tigers are not yet completely out of the game. It is difficult but not impossible to achieve.

BDST: 1930 HRS, FEB 9, 2018
AP