Bangladesh slump to defeat

Bangladesh slumped to their 8th innings defeat in their last 10 matches against Sri Lanka today, scoring just 50 runs for the loss of their last 7 wickets.

36-3 at stumps and with defeat inevitable, Bangladesh began poorly, with Chaminda Vaas finding the edge of Habibul Bashar’s bat with just 3 added, with Sangakkara pouching the simple catch.

Muralitharan, who had figures of 2-0 overnight, claimed his first wicket of the day, Tushar Imran bowled for 3. Aftab Ahmed was the controversial off-spinners next victim, caught by Thilan Samaraweera, failing to pick a doosra.

With Bangladesh in freefall, the same combination accounted for Mohammad Rafique, while veteran keeper Khaled Mashud became the only the 3rd Bangladeshi of the innings to reach double figures.

Lasith Malinga got in on the fun too, taking the 8th and 9th wickets to fall, those of Syed Rasel and Khaled Mashud. Fittingly, it was Muralitharan who wrapped up the match; Enamul Haque stumped charging down the pitch to another doosra.

Murali’s figures of 6-18 show why many consider him the best in the world, despite the controversy surrounding him. Another heavy defeat for Bangladesh will no doubt bring more calls for them to lose status, but without a horrendous first-day collapse, they could well have put some pressure on Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh 188
Bashar 84
Herath 4-38, Muralitharan 3-42

Sri Lanka 370/9 dec
Dilshan 86, Samaraweera 78, Jayawardene 63
Mohammad Rafique 5-114

Bangladesh 86
Bashar 15
Muralitharan 6-18, Malinga 3-32

Sri Lanka win by an innings and 96 runs.

Man of the match: Muttiah Muralitharan