The all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva was named the player of the match on the first test of the Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh 2024.
Dhananjaya de Silva on Winning first Test
After winning a series each, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka played in the first test match starting on March 22 where Sri Lanka won the match by 328 runs difference. Dhananjaya de Silva was named the player of the match for his heroic deeds in the match.
He smashed centuries in both of their innings and helped the side to boost the total on the scoreboard.
Batting first, Sri Lanka lost all 10 wickets scoring 280 runs. With the complete collapse of the top order and few wickets in the middle order, Dhanajaya and Kamindu joined partnerships to balance the side in the scorecard. Kusal Mendis scored only 16 runs in the first innings.
Sri Lanka lost 5 wickets for 57 runs and the partnership for 6 wickets went for 201 runs. Khaled Ahmed was the reason for the collapse in Sri Lanka’s top order picking three wickets while Nahid Rana picked up three wickets in the middle order to help the side end the visitor’s innings quickly.
With a trail of 280 runs, Bangladesh started their innings where Taijul Islam was the highest scorer for the hosts smashing 47 runs. Vishwa Fernando created havoc in Bangladesh’s batting lineup while Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara completely wiped up the middle order.
Finally, Bangladesh concluded their innings by scoring 188 runs losing all 10 wickets. Sri Lanka’s second innings was impressive as they posted a score of 418 runs. With karunaratne’s 52 runs, Sri Lanka had a good start, but Bangladesh managed to bag a few wickets in the middle order.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis have smashed a century each again in their second innings. Silva smashed 108 runs while Kamindu Mendis scored 164 runs on 237 deliveries.
Despite Mehidy Hasan Miraz bagging four wickets, their side failed to contain Sri Lanka scoring runs. Bangladesh scored only 182 runs in their second innings and lost the match by 328 runs.
While speaking in the post-match conference, Dhananjaya de Silva said, “Individually very happy for me, the way I performed for the team and got a win outside Sri Lanka.”
“The wicket had something for the fast bowlers and I and Kamindu were talking about playing late and restricting some shots, Kamindu batted really well in his comeback Test match. That’s what I wanted from the No. 7.”
“In the second innings, there was not much help like the first innings but our bowlers kept hitting the right areas and it paid off. No idea about it, we have to go and see the conditions, and we have to prepare for that,” he concluded.
The second match of the test match will be played between March 30 and April 03 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
