Colombo, March 19 (IANS): Bangladesh racked up a thrilling four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka riding a brilliant all-round performance from Shakib Al Hasan to seal a memorable 100th Test win here on Sunday.
Chasing 191 to win, Tamim Iqbal struck a fine 82 before skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (22 not out) carried Bangladesh over the finishing line on a dramatic final day at the P Sara Oval here.
It sealed the tourists’ first win over the Sri Lanka in the format as they squared the two-match series 1-1. The fact that it comes on their century of Tests added to the weight of the triumph.
Bangladesh became the fourth team to win their 100th Test matches after Australia, the West Indies and Pakistan. After playing 100th Test, Bangladesh have nine wins, out of which four are away from him.
“This was a very important win,” Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said after the match.
“It wasn’t easy. We had to come back strongly after the first Test. I just play my shots. As I said, the way (Dinesh) Chandimal batted in the first innings it told me if I apply myself I could score runs,” the southpaw added.
Skipper Mushfiqur added, “Obviously, feel great. The bowlers did a great job - Mustafiz and Shakib’s spells were outstanding on a flat track. It showed the character of the team. The boys really stepped up under pressure and there were lot of partnerships in the bowling. I really enjoyed it. If you look at the last few series, we have played some good cricket.”
On Sunday, the momentum swung like a pendulum through the three sessions before Bangladesh came out on top.
With the track producing sharp turn and bounce, Sri Lanka skipper and birthday boy Rangana Herath landed a double blow by removing Soumya Sarkar (10) and Imrul Kayes (0) early on in their chase.
Bangladesh were reduced to 22/2 before lunch, but Tamim and Sabbir Rahman (41) then showed great resilience and temperament to put Bangladesh back on course with a 109-run partnership.
Sri Lanka’s chinaman Lakshan Sandakan bled too many runs and Herath stuck with Dilruwan Perera who soon repaid his faith by taking out Tamim and Sabbir before tea.
But Bangladesh had chopped the target down under 50 by then.
Bangladesh looked to the experience of the Shakib-Mushfiqur pair, particularly after the all-rounder’s century in a 100-plus partnership between them in the first innings.
But Perera once again struck after tea break to remove Shakib who played on to leave his team five wickets down, still 29 away from the coast.
Whatever fear of defeat had loomed at that point disappeared when Mushfiqur took charge. He overturned an on-field lbw decision, paired in a decisive 27-run partnership with young Mosaddek Hossain (13) before Mehedi Hasan Miraz (2) swept one away for the winning runs.
In the morning, Bangladesh bowled Sri Lanka out for 319 and were set a 191-run target.
Tail-enders Dilruwan (50) and Suranga Lakmal (42) continued to frustrate the Tigers’ bowlers with an 80-run stand for the ninth wicket in the morning after they resumed on the overnight tally of 268/8.
Perera was eventually run out after his fourth Test half-century. Lakmal soon followed him back when he holed out at long-off to give Shakib Al Hasan his fourth wicket.
Shakib returned 4/74 while Mustafizur picked up 3/78 for Bangladesh. Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam chipped in with a wicket apiece.
