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The wind has picked up sharply at the SSC, and the groundstaff have sprung into action even before the rain begins to fall. The players are already off the field, hustling toward the pavilion as the covers are swiftly brought in to protect the pitch and square.
In Sri Lanka, the groundstaff often act before the first drop, knowing the conditions all too well. The skies are ominous, and with a strong breeze sweeping across the ground, there’s hope that it might carry the rain away quickly. For now, we’re in for a weather-induced break in play.
Sri Lanka have roared back into the contest with a flurry of wickets after lunch on Day 1 at the SSC. Tharindu Ratnayake broke the resistance by dismissing the well-set Shadman Islam for 46, inducing a sharp edge with a turning delivery that was brilliantly snapped up by Dhananjaya de Silva at slip.
Just when Bangladesh hoped to rebuild, Vishwa Fernando delivered a decisive blow, removing captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for a low score with a seaming delivery that kissed the edge and was safely pouched by Kusal Mendis. From a steady start, Bangladesh now find themselves in deep trouble with two key batters dismissed in quick succession.
We’re back for the afternoon session on Day 1 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The umpires and players have returned to the field, with Bangladesh looking to rebuild after a steady but cautious first session. Shadman Islam, nearing his fifty, will resume alongside skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto as the visitors aim to build a solid foundation. With Sri Lanka already striking twice before lunch, the hosts will be eager to maintain pressure and make further inroads into the Bangladeshi lineup.
It’s been a balanced opening session at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, as Bangladesh head into lunch on Day 1 at 71/2 in 26 overs after opting to bat first in the second Test against Sri Lanka. While the visitors managed to see off the new ball with some resistance, they also suffered two setbacks that kept the hosts firmly in the contest.
Sri Lanka’s pace duo, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando, made life difficult for the Bangladeshi openers early on, keeping things tight and extracting movement off the pitch. Anamul Haque, who was given an early life by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis on 0, failed to make it count. He was eventually undone by Asitha, dragging one onto his stumps to depart for a 10-ball duck.
Mominul Haque joined Shadman Islam and looked steady for a while, rotating strike and settling in. But just when the pair was starting to build a foundation, Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva struck gold with his very first delivery — a tame shot from Mominul went straight to cover, ending his stay at 21.
Shadman Islam has looked compact and is nearing his half-century, unbeaten on 43, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is batting on 7. The pair saw off the remaining overs before the break without further damage. With the pitch offering some early assistance and the Sri Lankan bowlers keeping things disciplined, the post-lunch session promises to be crucial. Bangladesh will be eyeing consolidation, while Sri Lanka will look to tighten the screws further.
WICKET! Dhananjaya de Silva makes an immediate impact with his very first delivery, sending Mominul Haque back to the pavilion with a soft dismissal. Coming around the wicket, the Sri Lankan skipper floated one wide outside off at just 79 kph.
Mominul, looking to cash in on the width, went back and tried to punch it through the covers but ended up hitting it straight to substitute fielder Pavan at short cover. A tame shot under no real pressure, and Mominul knows he’s gifted his wicket away. DDS is ecstatic — a golden start to his spell and a crucial breakthrough for Sri Lanka.
Drinks have been taken on the first morning in Colombo, and it’s been a strong start for Sri Lanka. Asitha Fernando provided the early breakthrough, removing Anamul Haque for a 10-ball duck with a sharp delivery that nipped back in. Since then, Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam have struggled to find any fluency, managing just 23 runs off 12 overs in testing conditions.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. Both teams made two changes each, with Sri Lanka handing a Test debut to allrounder Sonal Dinusha, who comes in to fill the void left by the recently retired Angelo Mathews.
Sri Lankan bolwers have been very impressive with their line and length and haven’t allowed Bangladeshi batters to score. Asitha Fernanado have been tempting with his deluvery outside off and on the stumps. Shadman Islam as usual continues to play his natural game of anchoring the innings.
Sri Lanka strike early in Colombo as Asitha Fernando gets the breakthrough, sending Anamul Haque back for a 10-ball duck. Bowling a back-of-a-length delivery that nipped in off the seam, Asitha cramped Anamul for room, and the batter could only drag it back onto his stumps in an attempted punch—Sri Lanka’s perfect start in the second Test.
Just a few overs earlier, Anamul had survived a close call when a beauty from Asitha kissed the outside edge, only for Kusal Mendis to get fingertips on it as it flew between keeper and first slip. That miss didn’t cost Sri Lanka much, though, as Asitha made sure the pressure paid off soon after.
The atmosphere at the Sinhalese Sports Club is set as the Sri Lankan team gathers in a tight huddle, fired up to begin the second Test. The two umpires make their way to the middle, soon followed by Bangladesh’s openers, Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque, tasked with giving their team a solid start. With the new ball in hand, Asitha Fernando strides in to bowl the opening over.
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Sonal Dinusha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando
Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka Captain): “We also wanted to bat first but we had a couple of rainy nights so hoping to get something for the bowlers. Sonal Dinusha replaces Mathews but he will bat at 6 and I will bat at 4. Yes we lost Angelo Mathews in Tests but we got the backup. The youngsters have performed well in the last couple of years.”
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh Captain): “We will bat first, it looks a very good wicket. We want to put a good total. We have a couple of changes with Mehidy Hasan Miraz coming in for Jaker Ali. Hasan Mahmud had a niggle. We did a great job in Galle but these are new conditions and we have to do well. Important first session for batting.”
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka
Bangladesh Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy (wk), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Litton Das (wk), Mahidul Islam, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Khaled Ahmed
Sri Lanka Squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara
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