Twitter Reactions: Out of gas Bangladesh put baby steps towards Sri Lanka’s mammoth 513 target

A total of six batters scored fifties in Sri Lanka’s first innings. Unfortunately, Kamindu Mendis missed out on a well-deserved century and was left hanging on 92. Despite the slow wicket, Sri Lanka managed to tire the Bangladesh attack, and none of the Lankan batters scored a century. Nevertheless, they managed to post 513 runs, which was a commendable feat. Shakib Al Hasan was the pick among the Bangladesh bowlers, taking three wickets in total in the 159 overs bowled by his team. 

Bangladesh started decently in their innings, despite already having spent almost two days on the field, with Sri Lanka putting up 531 runs. The Bangladesh bowlers lacked gas but continued to probe away. The team then had to play out almost an hour of play. The openers started off on a solid note and looked in good touch. The Lankan pacers did not get the same movement that the Bangladesh pacers got. Lahiru Kumara got rid of Mahmudul Hasan Joy as Bangladesh ended Day 2 at 55 for 1.

Bangladesh’s love affair with dropped catches has cost them big-time

Bangladesh’s poor catching once again resulted in defining the game, as Sri Lanka took control on the opening day of the second Test. The hosts missed three opportunities on the first day, which saw Sri Lanka finish the day on 314 for 4.

Joy was at second slip when he dropped Nishan Madushka in the sixth over of the day. Sri Lanka had scored 13 runs at that time, and the openers went on to add 96 runs. Joy had also missed catching Kamindu Mendis earlier in the first Test innings in Sylhet, with Sri Lanka at 37 for 4. Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva then added 202 runs for the sixth wicket, which became a vital factor for Sri Lanka’s big win in the first Test.

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Shakib Al Hasan later missed catching Dimuth Karunaratne on 22, when he failed to judge the left-hander’s top edge at deep fine leg. Karunaratne had previously survived a run-out chance on 18 and went on to score 86. Later in the day, Shahadat Hossain also missed catching Angelo Mathews at slip when he was on 10.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Sri Lanka’s marathon innings for two days: