Bangladesh staring at defeat as Jayawickrama takes six to trigger Tigers' collapse
Bangladesh tumbled for 251 in their first innings of the second Test, conceding an enormous lead after Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 493/7. With the lead of 242 runs, Sri Lanka opted never to impose a follow-on in Kandy.
Praveen Jayawickrama bagged six wickets, which is the best bowling record for just about any Sri Lankan on debut and only the fourth time whenever a Sri Lankan took a five-for on debut.
Bangladesh lost its last six wickets for just 37 runs, with almost all batsmen falling prey to Jayawickrama’s left-arm spin.
Jayawickrama completed his five-wicket haul scalping the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz through the 76th over. The right-handed batsman, who had recorded his maiden Test ton in the last series against West Indies in the home, tried to clear the ball through the midwicket region but didn't execute it well and the ball hit his pad to prompt the umpire to signal him out.
Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan made an excellent start of 98 runs at the first wicket stand. In addition, they had two fifty-plus partnerships at the 3rd and fourth-wicket stand.
Tamim was the best run-getter with 92 while Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim finished up on 49 and 40 respectively.
Along with Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal and Ramesh Mendis also did well taking two wickets each.
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers- Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne- hit a century each in the first innings of the match after choosing to bat first winning the toss. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat. They scored 81 and 77 not-out respectively.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged four wickets conceding 127 runs, which is currently the very best bowling figure for the right-arm pacer while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
