1st Test
Sri Lanka being 5 down at the score of just 50 runs and it was not an easy track for the batting
Everything seemed to be in Bangladesh’s favor until Mahmudul Hasan Joy missed the opportunity to dismiss Kamindu Mendis at slip, despite Shoriful Islam inducing an edge when the batter hadn’t even opened his account.
Opting to field first to capitalize on the moisture in the Sylhet pitch, the home side’s pace bowlers initially succeeded, reducing Sri Lanka to a precarious 57 for 5 before Mendis was given a lifeline.
Mendis capitalized on this stroke of luck in his first match back after nine months, registering his debut Test century alongside Dhananjaya de Silva, who also benefited from a dropped catch by Taijul Islam when he was on four runs, thanks to Shoriful’s effort at deep square leg.
Mendis achieved his hundred with a stunning cover drive against debutant pacer Nahid Rana, who eventually broke the partnership by dismissing the centurion.
Rana also claimed Dhananjaya’s wicket shortly after the latter reached his 11th Test century, helping Bangladesh regain momentum after a second session that saw Sri Lanka add 127 runs.
Reflecting on their partnership, Mendis stated, “It wasn’t easy to bat on this track.
We were 57 for 5.
We discussed that we should bat long.
We should settle down first and then keep going.
That’s what we did in the middle.”
He continued, “Being five down for 50-odd is something that can happen in Test cricket sometime.
Their fast bowlers bowled really well, in good areas.
The wicket also supported the seamers, as well as the overcast conditions.
At that time the goal for us was just to get settled at the crease, and once we did that to set about playing a long innings.
And after that our partnership got settled and we were able to carry on.”
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