Javed leads fightback

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No boos came from the stands on the third day like the first two as the resistance finally came from Bangladesh in the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground yesterday.

After the first two days’ humiliation, the Bangladeshi batsmen played with a purpose to bat throughout the day and silence the small crowd which had their traditional drums ready sensing a victory inside three days after visitors’ meek 89-run surrender in the first innings.

Javed Omar (62) and Rajin Saleh (51) curved half centuries as Bangladesh reached 233-5 in their second innings at stumps before bad light stopped play with eleven overs still remaining. However, it is still a daunting task for the Tigers — trailing by 255 runs — to avoid an innings defeat with Shakib Al Hasan (4) and veteran wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud (0) at the crease.

Bangladesh resumed the day on three for naught under hovering cloud but the top order showed determination against a rich Sri Lankan attack to take the game into the fourth day.

However, the way the Tigers spoiled the good work was frustrating after two set batsmen, captain Mohammad Ashraful and Rajin Saleh, threw away wickets after a record opening stand of 86 against Sri Lanka between Javed and Shahriar Nafees.

Ashraful and Rajin looked all set to carry their bats but suddenly both lost concentration to put an end to an otherwise solid 67-run fourth wicket partnership. The two not only handled the pacers brilliantly but also negotiated champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran, who made the damage in the first innings by taking five wickets.

Occasional off-spinner Tillekaratne Dilshan gave the long-awaited break to the home side when Rajin stretched forward to drive but edged to home skipper Mahela Jayawardene at slip.

Ashraful was quick to follow him, within three overs, to spoil their two-hour plus effort. The new Bangladesh skipper was the culprit as he stepped out in a bid to loft Murali but holed out to Chaminda Vaas at long-on when it was just a matter of time to call off the day for bad light.

The right-hander played very sensibly during his 131-ball 37 featuring five boundaries after he had come to the crease following the dismissal of Habibul Bashar (17) after lunch.

Rajin occupied the crease for almost four hours during his seventh Test half century from 177 balls that saw eight fours including two in an over by Murali, who bowled 34 overs to take two wickets for 82.

It was a rare day of batting brilliance for Bangladesh as they went to lunch on 110, losing only left-handed opener Nafees, who played across to offer a return catch to Murali after hitting 38 off 50 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Before tea, Bangladesh lost two more wickets when former Bangladesh skipper nicked a leg-cutter from Vaas to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and top scorer Javed Omar was adjudged leg after failing to handle a toe-crusher by fast bowler Lasith Malinga.

The seasoned opener smote ten boundaries during his 151-minute stay to score 62 runs off 118 balls, his eighth half century in the five-day game.

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