Colombo Test: Bangladesh battle to 220 for 8 on rain-hit day one

Due to the rain, 71 overs were possible on day one instead of 90.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the visitors were quickly on the back foot, losing opener Anamul Haque for a duck in the fourth over. Anamul failed to impress in the first match as well.

The right-handed opener found a place in the national team after scoring ample runs in the domestic circuit. But he failed to bring his good run to the international arena, which only exposed the weakness of the domestic cricket, where he scored century after century.

Shadman Islam provided early resistance with a steady 46 off 93 balls, while Mominul Haque added 21 before falling just as he looked set.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed for 8, and when Shadman fell just after lunch, Bangladesh were in trouble at 76 for 4.

Najmul scored two centuries in the first match, failed in the first innings of the Colombo Test.

Mushfiqur Rahim (35) and Litton Das (34) stitched together a vital 67-run stand that steadied the innings. The onus was on them to continue on the good start, but they failed to do so.

The partnership was broken by the debutant Sonal Dinusha, who later took the wicket of Mushfiqur too.

Later contributions from Mehidy Hasan Miraz (31) and Nayeem Hasan (25) kept the scoreboard ticking, but Sri Lanka kept striking at regular intervals.

Left-arm quick Vishwa Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka with 2 for 35, while debutant Sonal impressed with 2 for 22. Asitha Fernando also bagged two wickets, reports UNB. 

At stumps, Taijul Islam was unbeaten on 9 alongside Ebadot Hossain on 5.