Rain takes over after breezy Tamim Iqbal fifty as first Test ends in high-scoring stalemate
It was a match in which 1289 runs were scored for 17 wickets, the combined bowling average a whopping 75.82
It was a match in which 1289 runs were scored for 17 wickets, the combined bowling average a whopping 75.82
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Karthik Krishnaswamy
4.50pm And that is that. Five days dominated almost entirely by the bat. Like Dimuth Karunaratne said, we hope Pallekele will produce a pitch with a bit more balance between bat and ball for the second Test. That begins on Thursday, so make sure to join us for the start. Until then, it's goodbye from me, Fidel, Isam, Binoy and the rest of the crew bringing you this coverage.
Dimuth Karunaratne is the Player of the match. "I had a very hard time in the West Indies. First few overs I was struggling, but I thought if I get a start and hang around, I can get a big one. We thought the wicket would have good pace and bounce, but in these conditions, with the heat, it was a bit flat. The bowlers tried their heart out, but Bangladesh batted very well, showed good patience, and when we batted as well, nothing much for the bowlers, pretty much a batting paradise. Even if we had another chance [on this pitch], I don't think we could have done anything differently [with the ball]. We need a 50-50 wicket [for the second Test], we need something for the bowlers as well."
Mominul Haque: "I think it was a team performance, everyone contributed, especially Shanto. We were set up really well by Tamim Iqbal, and later on Liton and Mushy did really well. The bowlers tried really hard, especially Taskin, Miraz and Taijul. It depends on your mentality [dealing with bubbles]. When you represent your country, you have to adjust, it's totally a mental thing. I'm happy as a captain to contribute for the team [when asked about his first away hundred]."
Mahedi Sabuj: "Finally, BD got 30 points in Test Championship."
4.18pm The match has been officially called off. No century for Tamim Iqbal, but he's played an excellent hand to ensure there was no late drama after Bangladesh lost those two early wickets. So finally, after 28 straight result Tests, we have a draw on Sri Lankan soil.
Habibul Hasan Z: "Thunder god not be listening to Tamim's prayers "
4pm: The rain has slowed to a drizzle now, but there are huge pools of water on the covers, and even if it stops, a re-start will take 40 minutes at the least. By which time light will begin to be an issue.
Lots of comments from Tamim fans who want their man's fun to continue. AnamBMDF: "That's bad for Tamim, who is in attacking mood, playing nicely and deserve a ton in this Test. Rain, rain go away, please...."
3:43: Still raining incredibly hard. Harder than it was 20 minutes ago.
3:23: The whole ground is covered, but a bit of rain fell on the outfield before all the covers came on, so a restart will require some drying. It's still raining. Thunder ringing out too. I think that's it, probably.
3:13 Folks. Rain has arrived. Reasonably heavy stuff. To euthanise this lame horse of a Test match. Most of the ground is covered now. We will not be having a prompt restart. And I suspect that is it for this game. But we'll wait around just to make sure.
Irfan: "My Lord, please send your showering blessings after Tamim Iqbal completes his century or gets out. Sincerely- A Bangladeshi Cricket Fan."
3.00pm And that is tea. Tamim and Mominul have all but ensured this Test match will end in a draw. The playing conditions require the teams to play on until the start of the last hour, after which they can agree to a draw at any point. We'll be back soon to bring you the last session. Not sure how much play we'll get given the light/weather situation.
This should be the last over before tea. Lakmal continues from around the wicket.
And how many players have outscored the opposition on their own in a Test innings?
Revamped batting approach yields Sri Lanka captain's highest Test score
It was a match in which 1289 runs were scored for 17 wickets, the combined bowling average a whopping 75.82
It is not only a matter of doing the difficult job, but often how the opener chooses to do it
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva kept the Bangladesh bowlers at bay on day four of the Pallekele Test