ZCZC
BSP-13
CRICKET-BD-SL-DAY-4-TEA
Dhananjaya, Karunaratne century frustrates Bangladesh
DHAKA, April 24, 2021 (BSS)—Sri Lanka reached 442-3 at tea, keeping Bangladesh at bay on day four of the first cricket Test at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne closed in on his maiden double century as he was batting on 184 with Dhananjaya de Silva on 134 at the second interval of the day.
They kept them unscathed in the first two sessions of the day, much to the disappointment of Bangladesh and in the process, shared 252-run for an undefeated fourth wicket.
Their calculative batting helped Sri Lanka to reduce the lead to 99 as Bangladesh declared its first innings on 541-7.
Both of them smote 18 boundaries in the process with Karunaratne and Dhananjaya playing 358 and 249 balls respectively.
As Sri Lanka resumed the day on 229-3, still 13 runs adrift of avoiding the follow-on, Bangladesh sensed a chance to hurl the baton. But the way the duo dominated the bowlers, Bangladesh soon found them in wanting.
Karunaratne flicked a Taskin Ahmed delivery through mid-wicket for doubles to reach his 11th century. His third century as captain and second ton against Bangladesh came off 247 balls but he didn’t stop there. He then cut it late square on the off-side for a single off Abu Jayed Rahi bowling to reach his 150.
Dhananjaya’s intent was to attack right from the beginning as Sri Lankan searched for quick runs unlike Bangladesh. He pulled Taskin for boundary through deep square to complete his seventh hundred off 153 balls after the lunch session.
BSS/SMP/AU/15:43 hrs