Tigers’ batsmen start poorly

Bangladesh opened their tour of Sri Lanka with a unconvincing batting performance on the first day of their three-day fixture against Sri Lanka A.

After newly appointed captain Mohammad Ashraful won the toss at the Colts Cricket Club in Colombo, the Bangladeshi top five all made starts yet none, save Habibul Bashar, were able to go on to make a significant contribution.

Following a fluid start, Shahriar Nafees’ dismissal for 16, caught by Jehan Mubarak off Dammika Prasad, signalled the end of any real Bangladeshi aggression and the 79 overs of play possible yielded just 183 runs.

Both Javed Omar (34) and Rajin Saleh (21) dug in, adding 45 for the second wicket, but both fell in quick succession. It was left to Bashar, who’s Test place has come under recent scrutiny after he relinquished the captaincy, to grind out a dour unbeaten 60 from 146 balls. Ashraful provided the necessary support, contributing 37 to a stand of 75, before he fell caught behind to left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. When Shakib Al Hasan was out first ball to the same bowler, Bangladesh were teetering at 148-5, leaving veteran wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud to survive until the close, finishing 7 not out.

Herath finished with figures of 3-51, with Prasad the only other wicket-taker. This match does not have first-class status, since both sides are playing with twelve-man squads.

Bangladeshis 183-5 (79 overs)
Javed Omar 34, Habibul Bashar 60*, Mohammad Ashraful 37
Rangana Herath 3-51

Sri Lanka A