Karunaratne criticises pitch after high-scoring draw
Sri Lanka opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has criticised the pitch in Chittagong after the first Test against Bangladesh ended in a high-scoring draw on Sunday.
More than 1 533 runs were scored over the five days while only 24 wickets were taken as the teams now go into a winner takes all final Test in Mirpur starting on Thursday.
Bangladesh were 513 all out in the first innings after winning the toss but Sri Lanka replied with a mammoth 713/9 declared with three players hitting centuries.
The Tigers then batted out the final day to be 307/5 as Mominul Haque became the first player from his country to register two centuries in the same Test.
ALSO READ: Mominul makes history as run-fest ends in draw
The lef-handed Karunaratne, who was out for a duck in Sri Lanka’s innings, hopes the surface for the second Test will offer more to the bowlers.
Karunaratne said after the game: “Bangladesh put up 500-plus on the board but our batters showed a lot of character to reply with 700-plus. The boys did well to put them under pressure on this wicket by getting a big score.
“I don’t think this is a good wicket for Test cricket because already 1,500 runs have been scored. I think there needs to be something for the bowlers as well. I am hopeful we get a 50-50 wicket in the next Test.
“Normally, in the subcontinent, there is some turn in the fourth and fifth day. Here there wasn’t much turn or bounce. Batsmen could play big shots off the back foot as well.
“Once a batsman got set, he was able to get a really big one on this wicket. There were a lot of big runs in the scorecard.”
Latest
-
NewsNo fear, says England’s Paul Collingwood ahead of a thrilling final day’s action
The assistant coach says the tourists are not scared of losing the first Test to Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
-
NewsDaring declaration sets up thrilling final day of Test action in Rawalpindi
Pakistan need 263 more runs to defeat England, with eight wickets remaining.
-
NewsPakistan need 343 runs to win first Test after England declaration
The tourists scored quick runs on day four at Rawalpindi.
-
NewsEngland debutant Will Jacks claims maiden Test five-for against Pakistan
England picked up where they left off the night before, picking up the remaining three wickets in the first hour-and-half of play.
-
NewsWill Jacks: Wicket of Babar Azam could be a game-changing moment for England
Jacks finished the day with three for 132 from 32 overs.
-
NewsEngland rewarded for perseverance as late Pakistan wickets offer hope of victory
The hosts slid to 499 for seven at the end of day three in Rawalpindi, with England leading by 158 runs.
-
NewsThe Hundred would cost ‘a few billion’ – ECB chair Richard Thompson
Reports last month suggested private equity company Bridgepoint Group had made a £400million offer for 75 per cent of the tournament.
-
NewsEngland bowlers toil as Babar Azam’s century guides Pakistan to 411 at tea
England made inroads into the Pakistan batting line-up in the morning, with Jack Leach taking two wickets, but there was little on offer after lunch.
-
NewsFormer Australia captain Ricky Ponting ‘feeling great’ after heart scare
The 47-year-old was taken to hospital in Perth after feeling unwell while working as a television pundit on Friday.
-
NewsEngland make inroads as Pakistan reach 298 for three at lunch
The hosts went into the break well behind England’s impressive first-innings total of 657.