Bangladesh finished day one of the Colombo Test at 220 for 8, after losing wickets in clusters throughout the innings.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh made a poor start. Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy fell for a duck, continuing a disappointing run on tour with scores of 0, 4, and 6.
Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque attempted to steady the innings, but Mominul’s struggles continued. He was dismissed for 21, having failed to convert any of his starts in the series.
Shadman showed better form, reaching 46 before getting out shortly after lunch. At the break, Bangladesh stood at 71 for 2, with Shadman and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto at the crease.
But early in the second session, Sri Lanka struck again. Shanto was dismissed for 8, followed quickly by Shadman. Within three overs, Bangladesh had lost both set batters.
The team brought in two changes for this Test: Mehidy Hasan Miraz replaced Zakir Hasan, and Ebadot Hossain came in for the injured Hasan Mahmud. Sri Lanka also made two changes to their lineup.
After the top-order collapse, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das provided some resistance. They added 67 runs for the fifth wicket, both benefiting from dropped catches.
Litton scored 34 before falling late in the session. Mushfiqur played a steady knock but fell for 35 after a brief spell of stability.
The wheels came off for Bangladesh after they reached 134 for 4, as they watched six wickets tumble for only 80 runs.
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With the top order gone and the innings in freefall, it was Mehidy Hasan Miraz who stood tall. He played a defiant knock of 31, and found a willing partner in Nayeem Hasan (25). Their stubborn stand was just enough to get Bangladesh past the 200-mark and give their bowlers a glimmer of hope.
Miraz was dismissed by Vishwa Fernando, while Nayeem’s stay ended not long after.
Bangladesh is hanging by a thread at the end of day one, finishing on a shaky 220 for 8. A rough final session saw them lose three quick wickets for just 76 runs, leaving the last two men, Taijul Islam (9*) and Ebadot Hossain (5*), to see them through to stumps.
Now, the weight falls on the two tail-enders to somehow survive the morning and add whatever they can to the total before their bowlers get a crack at Sri Lanka.
The first day belonged to Sri Lanka, who kept control despite a few missed chances, leaving Bangladesh in a difficult position heading into day two.
