Rahim proud of character of batsmen

Cricket365
March 12, 2013

Captains Angelo Mathews and Mushfiqur Rahim selected entertaining highlights from an otherwise dull fixture, after Sri Lanka and Bangladesh's first Test ended in a draw at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday.

The fixture – played on an entirely flat pitch – brought more than 1,600 runs and just 19 wickets. The hosts scored five centuries and the tourists three. Rahim became Bangladesh's first double-centurion and the veteran Kumar Sangakkara surpassed team-mate Mahela Jaywardene as Sri Lanka's most prolific centurion.

Former Tigers skipper Mohammad Ashraful welcomed a career-best 190, the in-form Nasir Hossain reached three figures for the first time and there were tons for wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal and the left-handed Lahiru Thirimanne too. Runs, indeed, were plentiful.

"It was hard work. It was pretty disappointing for us. We would have liked to win the game. Credit to the batsmen, though. The two legends – Kumar and Dilshan – batted really well and also the youngsters in Thirimanne and Chandimal," said Mathews.

Rahim was named Man of the Match for his 200, which spanned 437 minutes and 321 deliveries – and featured 22 fours and a solitary six. His 267-run alliance for the fifth wicket alongside Ashraful, too, weighed in as a Bangladesh record.

"I think our batsmen showed their character. Ashraful played a really long innings along with Nasir. It's a big moment for us. It's the first time we had a lead against Sri Lanka. I hope to continue the same way," added Rahim.

The second and final Test gets underway at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.