Bangaldesh pacer Khaled Ahmed tried to play Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis off the non-striker but missed his delivery completely. The incident took place on Day 3 of the ongoing First Test between the two teams in Sylhet on Sunday. On the 63rd over of Sri Lanka’s innings, Ahmed tried to catch Mendis off guard by attempting a run-out at the non-striker’s end. However, he failed to clear the bails as his delivery missed the stumps by a whisker. A video of the same incident went viral on social media.
Here’s the video:
Bangladesh Sri Lanka Rivalry at its peak Khaled Ahmed tries to mankad but can’t execute #BANvSL #MIvGT #RohitSharma #HardikPandya #RRvLSGpic.twitter.com/o96XaME3is
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) March 24, 2024
On Day 3, Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva became the third pair in Test history to score a century in both innings as Sri Lanka set a 511-run target for Bangladesh in the first Test.
The visitors were all out for 418 in their second innings at Sylhet, with Mendis making 164 more runs with his 102 in the first innings and De Silva, who also scored 102 runs in the first innings, adding 108.
Australia’s Chappell brothers, Greg and Ian, achieved the feat against New Zealand in March 1974, before Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali emulated the feat against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.
The pair, who shared 202 runs in Sri Lanka’s first innings, totaling 280 runs, put on a combined 173 runs this time – on their way to becoming the third and fourth Sri Lankans to score centuries in both innings against Bangladesh.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke their partnership before finishing with 4-74 for Bangladesh.
Resuming at 119-5, the visitors lost nightwatchman Vishwa Fernando (four) early to Khaled Ahmed, before De Silva and Mendis took control.
De Silva brought up his century in the match with a single off Mehidy, before giving Bangladesh their first chance when Nahid Rana dismissed him on 101 off Shoriful Islam.
Mehidy stopped the drop from hurting the team, bringing De Silva’s innings to an early end, with Zakir Hasan taking the catch at short midwicket.
Mendis dismissed a full toss from Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to bring up his own hundred from 171 balls just before tea, when Prabath Jayasuriya was batting with him for 13.
Mehidy removed Prabath Jayasuriya, who made 25, and Lahiru Kumara from consecutive deliveries to give Bangladesh some relief.
Mehidy could have taken his fifth wicket had Liton not dropped Das Mendis on 133.
Mendis shielded last man Kasun Rajitha to add 52 runs in the last pair of wickets, leaving Bangladesh piled in misery.
Mendis hit Taijul Islam with three sixes in an over to reach his 150 and help push the lead to over 500 runs. Taijul eventually dismissed Mendis to wrap up Sri Lanka’s innings.
Sri Lanka has never lost a Test series to Bangladesh.
The second and final match of the series will be played in Chittagong from March 30.
(With AFP inputs)
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