Sri Lanka In Strong Position After Day 1 In Colombo
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
After a decade without, the opening Test between Sri Lanka and Bangaldesh ended in a draw in Galle but after day one in Colombo, another stalemate looks highly unlikely!
How Day One Played Out
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first and looked to have made the correct decision as they got to 71/2 at lunch with opener Shadman Islam going strong on 43. Alongside him was skipper and Player of the Match from the first Test, Najmul Hossain Shanto.
However, a combination of bad weather and an improved display from the Sri Lankan bowlers saw the hosts enjoy the second session with the tourists at one stage 76/4 before coming in on 144/5 at Tea.
In the final session, a further three wickets fell to leave Sri Lanka in pole position!
What's To Come on Friday - Day Two
Bangladesh already have the two lowest first innings totals in Test cricket at this venue and they will resume a long way from the highest first innings total of 642/4 declared.
| Year | Team | Opposition | Total |
| 2007 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | 89 |
| 2001 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | 90 |
| 1996 | Zimbabwe | Sri Lanka | 141 |
| 2023 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | 166 |
| 1993 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 168 |
Only one side has made a first innings total of less than 250 at this venue and gone onto win the Test, something which Bangladesh will be conscious of when they resume on Friday.
Recommended Bets
- Sri Lanka are already in a dominant position and will be looking to clean up the Bangladesh innings early and then get to stumps on day two with a lead and with wickets in hand.
As such, they look good value at 1.73 to win the Test and the series.
- Six of Bangladesh's wickets on day one were caught with two bowled including the final dismissal.
With the tail left, next wicket to be 'Bowled' at 4.00 could be of interest!
- Pathum Nissanka hit 187 in the first innings of the first Test in Galle and averages 44.68 in his first visit to the crease in this format.
We recommend backing him at 4.75 to be Sri Lanka 1st Innings Top Batter
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