2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh at Colombo, 06-10 Sep 2001 CricInfo Live Report

2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh at Colombo, 06-10 Sep 2001
Rex Clementine

Bangladesh 2nd innings: Morning drinks, Lunch, Afternoon drinks, Day three: Close,
Live Reports from previous days

SRI LANKA SEAL VICTORY BEFORE TEA

Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 25 runs to be all out for 328 in their second innings and lose the match by an innings and 137 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club this afternoon.

It was Sri Lanka’s largest ever victory in their 112-Test history and secured them a place in the ATC final in February 2002.

Bangladesh have now lost two matches by an innings in the space of a fortnight, but at least leave Sri Lanka buoyed by the astonishing innings played by their teenage prodigy Mohammad Ashraful, who created history when he became the youngest ever player to score a Test century.

Ashraful, who apparently dreamed last night that he was going to score a century, was finally dismissed for 114 off 211 balls, after hitting 16 fours.

Left arm fast bowler finished off Bangladesh with three wickets with the new ball, but Muralitharan took the last wicket to finish with match figures of 10-111.

Muralitharan becomes the quickest bowler to reach 350 Test wickets (66 Tests) after Kiwi Richard Hadlee, who reached the milestone in 69 matches.

Bangladeshi captain Rahman sparked the final collapse when he top edged a pull to be caught by Marvan Atapattu on the square leg boundary for 48.

The wicket ended a 96 run stand for the sixth wicket.

Ashraful was then finally caught and bowled by Perera for 114.

Muralitharan claimed his fourth wicket of the innings when he trapped Khaled Masud leg before wicket for a duck.

Perera then delayed the tea interval when he had Hassibul Hossain caught behind for a duck.

Al Shahriar was then last man out, caught and bowled for 19 by Muralitharan

ASHRAFUL BECOMES YOUNGEST EVER TEST CENTURION

Mohammad Ashraful became the youngest ever player to score a Test century when he guided a Chaminda Vaas delivery through the slips for four at the Sinhalese Sports Club this afternoon

Ashraful, just 16 years 364 days old, beat a 30-year-old record, which had been set by Pakistan batsmen Mustaq Mohammad (17 years 81 days) against India at Delhi in 1960/61.

He also smashed the previous record for the youngest ever players to score a century on his Test debut, which was set by Hamilton Masakadza (17 years 354 days) in the second Test against the West Indies at Harare in July 2001.

The teenage right-hander continued to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers after the luncheon interval, hoisting Muralitharan over long in the first over after lunch.

He did have two nervous moments. When he had made 87 he top edged a sweep yards away from Sri Lanka’s close fielders and on 94 he was deceived by a straighter ball from Muralitharan between first slip and wicket keeper.

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya, however, the took the new ball after 83 overs and Ashraful reached the landmark in the 85th over of the innings with a thick outside edge between third slip and gully.

He was well supported by his captain Naimur Rahman and the pair added 69 runs for the sixth wicket.

At the afternoon drinks break Bangladesh were 276 for five. Ashraful remains unbeaten on 102 and Rahman has scored 34 so far.

TEENAGE PRODIGY PLUNDERS LANKAN BOWLING

Defeat remains inevitable for Bangladesh, but they will leave Sri Lanka and the Asian Test Championship with some success to cheer because they appear to have unearthed a nerveless and skillful teenage prodigy in Mohammad Ashraful.

Quick on his feet and delicate with his wristwork the 16-year-old slammed a fifty in the second innings to follow the 26 he made on Thursday when Bangladesh had been bowled out for just 90.

Ashraful and Aminul Islam added 126 runs for the fifth wicket in the morning to leave the tourists on 207 for five at lunch, still 258 runs behind, but at least happier with their performance.

It could have been much better for Bangladesh too if Aminul had not played a reckless sweep shot to the last ball before lunch. The right-hander, who already has a Test century to his name, is the most experienced player in the side, but his indiscretion cost him his wicket as he was clean bowled by left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya for 57.

The pair had frustrated the Sri Lankan’s all morning. Ashraful had started the day cautiously, but soon grew in confidence to start playing some audacious shots. Chaminda Vaas was pulled viciously in front of square for two fours and both Muttiah Muralitharan and Jayasuriya were smashed straight down the ground as the slightly built right-hander danced down the track.

Ashraful ended the session on 68 scored off 125 balls having hit nine fours in all.

ANIMUL ISLAM RESISTS SRI LANKA

Bangladesh refused to lie down and surrender on the third morning of this Asian Test Championship Test, as 33-year-old Animul Islam and teenager Mohammad Sharif compiled the tourists first fifty partnership of the game.

Starting the day on 100 for four the pair added a further 50 runs this morning to leave Bangladesh on 150 for four at the morning water break, still 315 runs behind the Sri Lanka’s formidable first innings score.

Aminul, informally none as Bulbul, who scored 145 in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test match last year, has been the more aggressive of the two and has moved on 44 off 109 balls and hit six fours.

Ashraful, just 16-years-old, who scored 26 runs in the first innings, has moved on 24 off 59 balls with two fours, including a deft sweep off Muttiah Muralitharan and an edge throught the slips.

Bangladesh have enjoyed some fortune. In the first over of the day bowled by Chaminda Vaas a catch dropped just short of wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara and Ravindra Puspakumara missed a run out chance when Ashraful had made 14.

Sri Lanka started the morning with Vaas and Pushpakumara. Vaas bowled just four overs (4-0-17-0) however before Muralitharan was brought into the bowling attack. Pushpakumara (5-4-5-0) was also replaced shortly before the break by off spinner Thilan Samaraweera.