Dickwella, Chandimal help SL salvage draw in Chattogram

The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Thursday.

The visitors were under huge pressure on day 5, but the unbeaten 99-run partnership between Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella helped their side to safely see off the game to a draw.

The Lankan Lions started day 5 on 39 for two, but they lost two early wickets before lunch. And in the post-lunch session, they lost another two batters which put them under huge pressure.

But after that batting collapse, Dickwella and Chandimal fought back and gave no opportunity to the Tigers to celebrate a single moment. And in the second innings, Sri Lanka bagged 260 runs after losing six wickets. 

Taijul Islam was looking aggressive with the ball as he scalped four wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan claimed one. 

Taijul first dismissed Kusal Mendis and then Angelo Mathews in the first session. After the lunch break, he struck again and removed the Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who hit a half-century. 

Later, Shakib claimed Dhananjaya de Silva’s wicket.  

Mendis played some aggressive shots and looked dangerous. He walked back after scoring 48 in just 43 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and an over-boundary.

On the other hand, Mathews could not perform well. He was just a single run away from notching a double ton in the first innings, but this time he was dismissed for a duck. However, he was named the Man of the Match.

Earlier in the first innings, the Islanders posted 397 runs. Depending on Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim's century, the hosts collected 465 runs which gave them a 68-run lead. Bangladesh did not get the chance to bat again.

The second and final Test match will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from May 23.

Bangladesh: 465

Sri Lanka: 397 & 260/6