Bangladesh lose big as Sri Lanka sweep Test series

|| CF DESK ||

Lahiru Kumara showcased his bowling prowess, clinching figures of 4-50 to propel Sri Lanka to a resounding victory over Bangladesh in the second Test, ultimately sweeping the two-match series 2-0 in Chittagong on Wednesday.

With the match all but decided as the fifth day dawned, Kumara swiftly dismissed last man Khaled Ahmed to seal the one-sided contest just before lunch.

Bangladesh, tasked with chasing a daunting 511 in their second innings, managed to add a mere 50 runs to their overnight total of 268-7. The lone resistance came from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who valiantly remained unbeaten on 81, securing his sixth Test half-century.

As the day unfolded, Mehidy displayed grit, crafting his fifty off 68 deliveries with an array of positive strokes. However, his efforts were not enough to salvage Bangladesh's innings.

The overnight partnership was broken when Taijul Islam fell for 14, edging an off-spinner delivery from Kamindu Mendis to Nishan Madushka at gully.

Kamindu's contribution was significant not only with the ball, where he claimed 3-32, but also with the bat in the first innings, where he remained unbeaten on 92, earning him the well-deserved Man of the Match accolade.

Moreover, Kamindu's stellar performances throughout the series led to him being named the Player of the Series, having notched up centuries in both innings of the first Test.

Remarkably, Sri Lankan pacers accounted for 33 of the 40 Bangladesh wickets, a rare achievement on Bangladesh's traditionally spin-friendly pitches.

Expressing disappointment over the team's lackluster performance in the red-ball series, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the need for introspection within the squad.

Sri Lanka's dominance extended beyond the Test series, having secured victory in the preceding three-match T20 series with a 2-1 margin. However, they faced defeat in the one-day international series, succumbing to Bangladesh by the same margin.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is set to host Zimbabwe for five T20 matches in May, serving as their next international engagement before the commencement of the T20 World Cup in June.