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COLOMBO, July 31: Bangladesh collapsed to a 12th defeat in 13 Tests Wednesday as a second-string Sri Lanka side beat them by 288 runs to take the series 2-0.
The home side, without most of their first-choice players including ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, took the last six wickets for 17 runs, dismissing Bangladesh for 184.
Left-arm pace bowler Sujeewa de Silva and off-spinning all-rounder Thilan Samaraweera both took four wickets.
“Our bowlers bowled well. In Sri Lanka, in these conditions, we can do it, but we need to look at our performance internationally, going out of Sri Lanka,” captain Sanath Jayasuriya told reporters.
Sri Lanka went into the series still smarting from a disappointing tour of England where they were beaten 2-0 in a three-match series.
“We didn’t perform up to our standard,” Jayasuriya said. “Slowly, slowly our confidence is coming back.”
Bangladesh’s only defiance in their second innings came from teenager Mohammad Ashraful, who made 75 before falling to Samaraweera.
Bangladesh’s Pakistan coach Mohsin Kamal remained positive.
“They had a few 50 partnerships,” he said, also commending the tight bowling of Manjural Islam and Talha Jubair.
“They need more time to play Test cricket, more time to minimise their mistakes,” Mohsin added. “They need to be more patient. Test cricket is about how much time you’re willing to spend at the crease.”
The Sri Lankan skipper was all praise for young Michael Vandort, who slammed 61 and 140 in his second Test.
“He batted really well,” said Jayasuriya. “Our young seamers (Sujeeva and Chamila Gamage) also impressed as they gave their 100 per cent.”
Bangladeshi skipper Khaled Mashud bemoaned yet another batting collapse.
“Our middle order didn’t contribute enough runs,” he said.
“But we’ve some promising youngsters in the side and hope to do well in the one-day series even though we know Sri Lanka is a top side in the shorter version of the game.”
Sri Lanka have won 11 of their last 14 Tests as well as all 10 of their last home matches.
The two sides now play three one-dayers in Sri Lanka on Aug 4, 5 and 7.
SRI LANKA (1st Innings) 373 (S.T. Jayasuriya 85, M.G. Vandort 61, T.T. Samaraweera 58).
BANGLADESH (1st Innings) 164 (T. Baisya 52).
SRI LANKA (2nd Innings) 263-2 declared (M.G. Vandort 140, M.N. Nawaz 78 not out).
BANGLADESH (2nd Innings, overnight 103-4):
H. Sarkar c J’wardena b de Silva 30
Al-Shahriar b de Silva 6
H. Bashar c J’wardena b Gamage 3
M. Ashraful c Mubarak b S’weera 75
T. Imran st J’wardena b Chandana 28
A. Kapali c Mubarak b S’weera 23
K. Mashud not out 13
T. Baisya c Chandana b de Silva 3
F. Muntasir lbw b de Silva 1
M. Islam c Tillekeratne b S’weera 0
T. Jubair c Mubarak b S’weera 0
EXTRAS (LB-1, NB-1) 2
TOTAL (all out, 60.4 overs) 184
FALL OF WKTS: 1-27, 2-36, 3-40, 4-99, 5-167, 6-168, 7-171, 8-175, 9-184.
BOWLING: Fernando 5-2-12-0; de Silva 13-5-35-4 (1nb); Gamage 12-2-48-1; Jayasuriya 9-4-14-0; Samaraweera 11.4-1-49-4; Chandana 10-3-25-1.
RESULT: Sri Lanka won by 288 runs to clinch series 2-0.
UMPIRES: S.A. Bucknor (West Indies) and D.R. Shepherd (England).
TV UMPIRE: P.T. Manuel.
MATCH REFEREE: Wasim Raja (Pakistan).
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Michael Vandort.
FIRST TEST: Colombo, Sri Lanka won by an innings and 196 runs.—Reuters
