Time sports Report: Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Kumara got two crucial wickets to leave hosts Bangladesh in a precarious situation on Day 2 of their first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.
Kumara had overnight batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy (12 off 46) edge one back to third slip with his very first delivery of the day before Shahadat Hossain Dipu in a similar manner just before the drinks break in the first session.
Dipu was caught by surprise with some extra bounce from the right-handed pacer as he edged a back of a length delivery to the first slip to become Kumara's second victim of the game. Dipu, who had started the rebuilding work with night-watchman Taijul Islam, had to depart after scoring 18 off 26 deliveries. The wicket also ended a 30-run fifth-wicket stand between Dipu and Taijul, who, meanwhile, has done well to prevail after coming in to hold the fort at the latter stage of play yesterday.
Taijul remains unbeaten on 22 off 51 deliveries with Liton Das not out on 6 off 15 deliveries as Bangladesh reached 92 for five after 27 overs. Liton, who has had a torrid time with the willow in the shorter formats recently, will be hoping to get some runs and help the Tigers recover.
Tigers lose Joy early on Day 2
Bangladesh's troubles compounded very early on Day 2 of their first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday as the hosts lost overnight batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy just in the sixth over of the day.
After 18 overs, Bangladesh were 69 for four with young batter Shahadat Hossain Dipu unbeaten on 10 off 12 deliveries and night-watchman Taijul Islam not out on 14 off 25 deliveries.
The Sri Lankan pacers, who claimed three crucial wickets late on the opening day of the Test yesterday, started asking questions right from the beginning today.
And it did not take much longer for the visitors to get a reward as Lahiru Kumara, having just been introduced to the attack, induced an edge off the outside of Joy's bat in the 16th over of the innings. Joy walked off after a 46-ball 12 -- highest among the top four batters of Bangladesh, a stat highlighting the struggles of the Tigers' fragile batting lineup.
