Sri Lanka Shatters 48-Year-Old Test Record in Historic Win

Post by: Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

_{Photo: AFP}

Sri Lanka's cricket team etched their name in history during Day 2 of the second Test match against Bangladesh on Sunday, breaking a 48-year-old record. Sri Lanka amassed a formidable total of 531 runs in their first innings without any batter reaching the century mark. This remarkable feat marked the highest team total in Test cricket history without a single centurion. Among the top seven Sri Lankan batters, six notched up half-centuries, with Kusal Mendis leading the charge with 93 runs, closely followed by Kamindu Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 92. The previous record belonged to India, who scored 524/9 declared against New Zealand in Kanpur back in 1976.

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At stumps on Day 2, Bangladesh stood at 55-1 in their first innings, with opener Zakir Hasan unbeaten on 28 alongside nightwatchman Taijul Islam on 0, following Mahmudul Hasan Joy's dismissal by Lahiru Kumara for 21.

Although Sri Lanka set a record-breaking total of 531 runs in their first innings, Kamindu Mendis narrowly missed achieving a remarkable third Test century in consecutive innings. Mendis was left stranded on 92 not out as last man Asitha Fernando was run out for a duck. His near century would have made him only the fourth Sri Lankan to achieve this feat, having scored 102 and 164 in the first Test.

Apart from Mendis, notable contributions came from Dhananjaya de Silva (70), Dinesh Chandimal (59), Kusal Mendis (93), Dimuth Karunaratne (86), and Nishan Madhushka (57), each scoring a half-century.

Bangladesh bowler Shakib Al Hasan finished with figures of 3-110 as Sri Lanka dominated proceedings for nearly two days after opting to bat first. Despite a strong start, Sri Lanka faced hurdles, with de Silva dismissed post-lunch and Chandimal falling victim to Shakib's bowling. However, missed opportunities by Bangladesh, including a comical dropped catch, and a successful review for Mendis ensured Sri Lanka's dominance.

Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the first Test in Sylhet by 328 runs, setting the stage for an exciting series against Bangladesh.

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