Sri Lanka 280 (Dhananjaya 102, Kamindu 102) and 418 (Kamindu 164, Dhananjaya 108, Mehidi 4-71). Bangladesh 188 (Taijul 47, Vishwa 4-48) and 182 (Mominul 87*, Rajitha 5-56) by 328 runs
Rajitha returned to bat in the third over of the day off Taijul Islam lbw, then drove to break the most important stand of Mehidi’s innings in the morning session. He completed his five-for with a double-strike after lunch. Shoriful Islam had defied Sri Lanka in 41 balls, but provided a simple catch-and-bowl opportunity when he tried to drive Rajitha over the top. On the next ball, Rajitha delivered a beautiful fourth stump length delivery to Khaled Ahmed.
Bangladesh started the day in monster form at 47 for 5, but were disappointed not to be able to work Sri Lanka hard, especially given the forecast for rain later in the afternoon. After being bowled out for 188 in the first innings, they were bowled out for 182 runs. He never lasted 50 overs in the second dig, and none other than Mominul crossed 35 runs, or batted more than 50 balls.
However, Mominul was excellent for his part. He was eloquent throughout the day, driving through covers and through point with exceptional skill, while deftly negotiating the bouncer barrages sent at him by the Sri Lankan seamers. With the late cut also a productive stroke, he found 59 of his 87 runs offside. He should have been out for 64 when he toe-edged the ball on its way to the keeper, but Sri Lanka decided against a review. For most of the day, though far from a uniform approach, he was discarding singles to avoid exposing tailenders early in the over.
There was no continuous period in which Mominul appeared unpleasant; Some of his stroke-play was gorgeous.
Mehidi was Bangladesh’s next best batsman. He survived a big lbw appeal and review against Rajitha soon after coming to the crease, but eventually started to look the more secure man. Hitting several boundaries like this, he started looking for more driveable balls. But it was his downfall when he was caught at second slip off the outside edge.
As in Sri Lanka’s last tour of Bangladesh, when Asita Fernando (injured for this tour) and Rajitha shone, Sri Lanka’s Test seamers once again imposed themselves, taking all 20 wickets in the match.