Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Perera ripped through Bangladesh’s batting line-up with his maiden five-wicket haul
Sri Lanka destroyed Bangladesh by an innings and 248 runs on the fourth day of the first Test in Mirpur largely thanks to off-spinner Dilruwan Perera’s maiden five-wicket haul.
Perera was well supported by pace bowler Suranga Lakmal as he claimed three wickets.
Starting out the day on 35/1, Bangladesh opening batsman Shamsur Rahman and Marshall Ayub failed to add a single run onto their 20-run partnership since Rahman was caught behind off the bowling of Shaminda Eranga for nine runs.
Ayub did not last much longer as he was caught by Kaushal Silva at short leg off the bowling of Lakmal for 18.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mominul Haque stabilised the innings with a 52-run partnership before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Perera.
Haque ended up reaching his half-century, but failed to convert it into a bigger score as he was also given out lbw off the bowling of Perera.
Haque’s brilliant knock of 50 came off 57 balls and included eight boundaries.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim failed to have an impact with the bat as he was clean bowled by Perera for 14.
Sohag Gazi made a quickfire 23 before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Lakmal.
Robiul Islam only scored one run before he was also given out lbw off the bowling of Lakmal.
Nasir Hossain managed to make 29 runs before he was caught by Rangana Herath at mid-off off the bowling of Perera.
However, Bangladesh’s final pair of Rubel Hossain and Al-Amin Hossain held Sri Lanka up with a valiant 53-run partnership before Perera finally ended the match when Rubel Hossain was caught by Silva for 17.
Al-Amin Hossain remained undefeated on 32 off 18 balls, which included one boundary and four sixes.
Perera recorded his maiden five-wicket haul, while Lakmal picked up three wickets and Eranga and Herath chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Rahim was extremely disappointed with his side’s performance, especially since they let Sri Lanka score 730 runs in their only innings, and said: “It was a good wicket to bat on but we didn’t play well from day one and we were on the back foot. It is very difficult to come back from that, but I still thought the pitch was good to bat on, but the boys just didn’t show the fight in the middle.
“Hopefully we come back strong in the next Test. It has been great for us in the last two and a half years, we just didn’t deliver in this Test. We need to work on our batting and hopefully we can come back strong in Chittagong.
“It is important now that someone from the top plays a big innings, as it gives us a lot of chance in the middle. We hope the boys at the top come strong, and as a batting unit, we need to put our hand up.”
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was pleased to have a 1-0 lead heading into the second and final Test in Chittagong, and said: “It was a complete performance by the team. Everyone played their part. Pretty happy with the way the boys went out today.
“The bowlers have been brilliant for us in the past few games, and we knew if the fast bowlers were bowling well then the spinners would do well after.
“Perera has played two games and has been brilliant, one with the bat, and one with the ball, so he has been a great find for us. We hope he can keep on contributing.
“I’m a bit disappointed (in missing out on a ton), but congratulations to Vithanage and Mahela for their scores. It was unfortunate for Prasanna to fly back, but Chandimal responded brilliantly. We would like to keep playing positive cricket and keep winning.”
Sri Lanka veteran batsman Mahela Jayawardene was named Man of the Match for his historic double century.
“It has been some time since I got a big one,” he said. “I thought it was a great game by the team as everyone put their hand up and performed, so it was a good outing.
“I think the wicket played really well, and even today there was a little bit of pace for our quicks, and for the spinners it was spinning, but the important thing was the bounce which really helped us. Overall, a good Test wicket.
“It is all about handling situations, that is where our guys did well. We applied ourselves and made sure not to lose our wickets up front. There were times where their spinners bowled well, but we were able to handle the situation well and pull through in the end.”