While the scoreboard painted a picture of dominance, the story of the day was the Chittagong surface, which has effectively neutralized the contest. The track, offering little to no assistance for bowlers, has already yielded over a thousand runs in just three days. Even a member of the Bangladesh team’s support staff was caught napping during the monotony of the day’s play—a telling image of the grind that unfolded.
The Revival of Mendis
and de Silva
Six months ago, both Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva were grappling with form issues. However, the benign conditions in Chittagong seemed tailor-made for their resurgence. The duo batted with elegance and authority, scoring at a brisk rate of 3.5 runs per over. Mendis’ innings, in particular, was a study in balance, as he drove, cut, and flicked with precision to anchor Sri Lanka’s reply.
De Silva, meanwhile, was in imperious touch, mixing caution with aggression. His innings not only showcased his technical prowess but also his ability to accelerate when required. Together, they made Bangladesh’s bowling attack look toothless, milking runs with ease.
Bangladesh’s
Spinners: Toil Without Reward
The three-pronged spin attack of Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Sunzamul Islam bore the brunt of Sri Lanka’s dominance, sending down a combined 117 overs for 379 runs. Mehidy, in particular, struggled to find the rhythm, conceding runs at an alarming economy rate of 5.10. While there were occasional attempts to vary pace and trajectory, the lack of bite and pace on the deliveries rendered these efforts largely ineffective.
In the early part of the day, Bangladesh’s spinners bowled at speeds hovering around 75 to 80 km/h, far too slow to trouble batsmen on this placid surface. By the final session, they marginally increased their speeds to 80-87 km/h, but the damage had already been done. The spinners’ inability to adapt quickly to the conditions underscored the limitations of a one-dimensional attack.
Mustafizur Rahman: A
Lone Warrior
On a day when bowlers were consigned to the role of spectators, Mustafizur Rahman stood out with his skill and intent. With the first new ball, he consistently probed the good and full-length areas, generating movement off the seam and beating the bat on several occasions. His ability to bowl with precision from both over and around the wicket added variety to his attack.
Mustafiz’s second spell with the new ball was even more impressive. Recognizing the futility of defensive bowling on such a lifeless pitch, he opted for an aggressive approach, mixing short-pitched deliveries with off-cutters, away swingers, and in-cutters. This attacking mindset accounted for the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva, who fell to a well-directed short ball while attempting to accelerate. De Silva’s dismissal marked a brief period of control for Bangladesh, as Sri Lanka’s scoring rate dipped to 2.7 runs per over in the final session.
What set Mustafiz apart was his unrelenting pursuit of wickets. He attacked the top of off-stump with precision and wasn’t afraid to pitch the ball on middle and leg to induce movement back into the right-handers. Even when these tactics carried the risk of being punished, Mustafiz’s courage and commitment to his craft were evident.
A Missed Opportunity
for Bangladesh’s Think Tank
In hindsight, Bangladesh’s decision to field three spinners and only two pacers appears shortsighted. On a track that offered no assistance to spin, an additional pacer could have provided Mustafizur with much-needed support and added a cutting edge to the attack. The absence of a second seamer capable of exploiting reverse swing or maintaining pressure with pace was glaring.
The lack of balance in the bowling attack has left Bangladesh reliant on individual brilliance rather than a cohesive unit. Mustafizur’s efforts deserve commendation, but Test cricket is seldom won by lone warriors. A more proactive approach in team selection and strategy will be crucial if Bangladesh hopes to compete on unforgiving surfaces.
Looking Ahead
With two days still to play, Sri Lanka will look to bat Bangladesh out of the game, piling on a lead that could put the hosts under pressure in the fourth innings. For Bangladesh, the focus will be on damage control and salvaging pride. However, unless the pitch undergoes a dramatic transformation, the prospect of a result in this Test seems as remote as any assistance for the bowlers on this Chittagong deck.
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