Debutant Tharindu Rathnayake took two wickets prior to lunch, although he was otherwise expensive.
Bangladesh is currently at 182 for 3 (Shanto 70*, Mushfiqur 66*, Tharindu 2-91) against Sri Lanka. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim have strengthened their counterattack against Sri Lanka, showcasing dominance during the post-lunch session with an unbroken partnership of 137 runs in Galle. A total of ninety-two runs were accumulated in this session.
Most concerning for the home team is that neither batter appeared to be in any difficulty during their innings, even as Sri Lanka experimented with five different bowling options against them. This outcome was somewhat anticipated, given that the pitch was conducive to batting—especially on the first day—but the moisture that had been present in the morning had completely dissipated, resulting in the loss of any occasional grip and turn for the spinners.
The quick outfield also provided ample reward for aggressive strokes, of which this duo has executed many. They have collectively hit 11 fours and a six, ensuring that Sri Lanka struggled to establish sustained pressure.
Only Milan Ratnayake, with his persistent back-of-length deliveries targeting the off stump, proved challenging to score against; his eight overs conceded just 11 runs. However, with runs flowing from the other end, particularly from debutant Tharindu Rathnayake, who conceded 91 runs in 22 overs, both Shanto and Mushfiqur have largely dictated the pace of the game.
The presence of only one maiden over among the three spinners illustrates a significant point. Sri Lanka may have overlooked a strategic opportunity by not pairing Milan with the more economical Prabath Jayasuriya, whose 17 overs cost 46 runs. The rationale behind their most expensive bowler being the most frequently utilized could also warrant reconsideration.
Nevertheless, it was through debutant Tharindu that Sri Lanka experienced their most promising moments. Following Asitha Fernando’s dismissal of Anamul Haque for a low score, Tharindu managed to dismiss Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque, both caught at slip off consecutive deliveries.
These two wickets were achieved through deliveries that offered additional turn and bounce, yet the lines and lengths necessary for such deviation have been noticeably absent since.
