Mohammad Ashraful and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim made the contest between tiger and lion very attractive at the end of 3rd day of 1st test of Dhaka Bank test series. Mohammad Ashraful made the history for Bangladesh by playing a splendid innings of 189 not out as he broken his own record of 158 run, highest ever score made by a Bangladeshi batsmen. The unbeaten partnership of 261 runs between Ashraful and Mushfiq also broken the record of highest 5th wicket partnership against Sri Lanka by any team. Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina made 256 runs 5th wicket partnership against Sri Lanka. Ashraful made his last test century back in 2007. Bangladeshi cricket experts expecting that the come back of Mohammad Ashraful is very positive aspect for Bangladesh cricket.
In the day of Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim went under shadow by the marathon innings of Ashraful. But, skipper also played another extra ordinary innings of unbeaten 152 runs to support Ash and taking the control of 3rd day.
Bangladesh ended up the day at 438/4 in reply of Sri Lanka’s 570/4 (Dec).
Galle has traditionally been a stronghold for Sri Lanka, with their spinners known for running through sides and wrapping up Tests well inside five days. Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim, however, batted like they were unfazed by that intimidating record, digging in for big centuries and breaking country records over a single day. Their unbeaten partnership of 261 was the highest in Bangladesh’s 13-year history as a Test nation and Ashraful went past his own record for the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batsman.
A common criticism of Bangladesh has been the inability of their batsmen to occupy the crease long enough and thus post totals in excess of 400 consistently. It had affected their ability to stretch Tests into the fifth day. On this occasion, Ashraful played the longest innings by a Bangladesh batsman in terms of balls faced (381) and the team passed the 400 mark with only four wickets down, well on track to beat their highest of 556 against West Indies last November. They lost only two wickets on the third day – both in the first hour – before Ashraful and Mushfiqur remained un-separated till stumps.
Two wicketless sessions marked a forgettable day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers. The seamers got no swing, and Rangana Herath failed to get enough turn and bounce. Ajantha Mendis was ineffective in his comeback Test, failing to pitch on the desired length and dishing out the odd full toss. Part-timers were called upon but all changes were in vain.
