1st Test: Sangakkara, Dilshan star in drawn match

Opening Test against BD witnesses record-equalling eight centuries.

GALLE:

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara scored his second century against Bangladesh in the drawn opening Test yesterday, which saw a record-equalling eight hundreds.

Sangakkara cracked a solid 105 and opener Tillakaratne Dilshan an impressive 126 as Sri Lanka declared their second-innings at 335 for four at tea to set Bangladesh an improbable 268-run victory target in the last session.

The tourists finished at 70 for one in their second-innings on the fifth and final day in Galle.

The flat track at the Galle International Stadium produced eight centuries, equalling the record of most tons in a Test, set during the West Indies-South Africa match in Antigua in 2005.

The draw was also Bangladesh’s first against Sri Lanka after 12 successive Test defeats.

“The draw is huge and it was also the first time we took the lead against Sri Lanka,” said Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who was named man-of-the-match.

“It is really enjoyable. The team is playing very well together and we are now looking forward to the next match.”

Sri Lanka added 219 to their overnight total of 116 for one as Sangakkara completed his 32nd century.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2013.