Sri Lanka Thrash Bangladesh In First Test Match.

Sri Lanka started off the Two match test series VS Bangladesh with a comprehensive win over the Tigers. Despite having stuggled in the longest format of late, Sri Lanka proved that they are still are to good for the minnows and continued their strong home form. This win was a characteristic home performance ensuring a dominating victory.

Sri Lanka had won the toss and chosen to bat first. The first innings charge was led by the extremely talented Kusal Mendis. He has been the pioneer of the Sri Lankan batting line up for a year and proved it again in Galle. His fabulous 194 along with crucial knocks from Gunarathne and Dickwella ensured Sri Lanka got to a healthy total of 494.

In reply, Bangladesh started extremely strongly with a 118 partnership for the first wicket. Both openers, Tanim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar, chipped in with half centuries. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim played a great knock of 85 too to add to the initial effort. Despite these performances, the others did not help the batting cause at all, ensuring that Bangladesh were dismissed for 312 while giving the hosts a considerable lead.

After that an Upul Tharanga century ensured Sri Lanka rushed to a total of 274 for 6, where they declared. This had set up a target of 457 for Bangladesh to win.

This was followed by an abject collapse by the visitors who, apart from a half century by Soumya Sarkar, did not provide any resistance at all. A classical Rangana Herath fourth innings performance, which ended up with him having figures of 6/59, saw Bangladesh completely capitulate. The Bangaldeshi’s were dismissed for an ordinary score of  197 giving Sri Lanka a 259 run win. Kusal Mendis was awarded the man of the match award.