Bangladesh-SL Test series tit-bit
Sports Reporter, Ctg
Mushis stunning catch
Mushfqur Rahims work behind the wicket wasnt as best as the cricket fraternity wanted and moreover it was deemed his long time work behind the wicket put an adverse impact on his batting. Considering he is the mainstay at Bangladeshs middle order, the team management wanted him to stay away from wicket-keeping to which he obliged after much deliberation. Liton Das is now keeping the wicket in Test cricket. However whatever his performance behind the wicket, he showed his fielding capability is the best amongst the lot. Basically his stunning catch denied Kusal Mendis his maiden double century. As Mendis sailed one at mid-wicket, Mushfiqur was stationed at mid-on but he kept his eyes on the ball right through its trajectory, till when its in his hands. His effort is extraordinary considering at least seven times out of 10, this type of catch should be missed.
Dhananjayas record 1000
Dhananjaya de Silva proved the point that he could be future star of the country as Sri Lanka are searching for next Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena--five centuries in just 12 Test is the testament of his ability. However during his 173, what was his fifth century, he completed 1000 runs when he was on 154. And thereby he joined Roy Dias to be quickest from Sri Lanka to get to 1000 runs in Test cricket. Both of them reached the milestone in only 23 innings of 12 Test. However the fastest 1000 runs record is still occupied by England great Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies great Everton Weeks, both of who took just 12 innings in 9 Tests. Don Bradman is second in the list, having brought up his 1000 runs in 13 innings of his seventh Test match.
Second time unlucky
Bangladesh perhaps remained determined: they would never let Kusal Mendis making double century against them. Out of his four centuries Mendis took two centuries to 190s, both against Bangladesh but failed to cross the final hurdle. As he was 194 against Bangladesh in Galle last year, he was victimized by a stunning catch of Tamim Iqbal at long-on off Mehidi Hasan Miraj bowling. The 196 against Bangladesh was his first in overseas ground and he had the chance to make it his first double but again, much like the previous occasion against, he suddenly went to charge the bowler and victimised by another stunning catch. This time the fielder was Mushfiqur Rahim and the bowler was Taijul Islam and Mendis this time was shy of four runs. However out of his four centuries, he crossed 170 plus on three occasions.
Missing Shakib!
On a pitch, unforgiving for the bowlers, demands some innovative things. It is a cricket rules that if you cant do some innovative things, just follow the basics of containing the runs because the batsmen will be definitely impatient in case they couldnt make runs in placid deck. However Bangladesh bowlers perhaps forgot the basics. Wickets were not coming easily but runs making looked the easiest job of the world. After lunch there was some assistance if not as expected as the bowlers wanted but a smart bowler still could make it count. However Bangladesh lacked a smart bowler and at the same time lacked a bowler who could contain runs. This is where Shakibs absence was felt enormously. It is for sure, if Shakib couldnt take wickets or extract any help from the wicket, he could contain the runs at least.
