Dickwella: Bangladesh went into negative approach

Visiting Sri Lanka will hunt for a potential Test match victory when they meet host Bangladesh in the fifth and final day of the first Test in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium Sunday. The Lankans at stumps on day four are very much on the front foot, having dismissed three Bangladesh batsmen late in the day, and now need to remove the seven opposition wickets as the Tigers still trail by another 119 runs. The wicket at ZACCS has been a feather bed, allowing both the sides to produce massive totals. But it was Sri Lanka who made the most of the occasion, posting 713 for the loss of nine wickets declared, the side’s fifth highest total in an innings. Despite the flat wicket at ZACCS and Bangladesh having seven wickets in hand, Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella believes the game is there for them to win. “We have a pretty good chance to win the Test. It is a pretty good wicket. It is all turning from the rough, and outside the stumps. We are hoping to start the day well. We are bowling in good areas, line and length,” said Dickwella following stumps on day four Saturday.

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Dickwella, who produced 62 runs off 61 balls to propel the Lankan innings, said approach by the Bangladesh batsmen helped Sri Lanka get the momentum. "They went into a negative position to save their wickets and defend the balls. I don't think it is the way to bat on this wicket. The ball is turning from the rough. I think positive approach is the best way to play in this wicket," the Sri Lankan explained. Having scored his eighth Test half-century, Dickwella was targeting his maiden century in his 16th appearance for the nation. However, an aggressive approach with the mindset to put up as many quick runs as possible saw the left-handed batsman get dismissed for 62 as he was caught by the wicket-keeper of Mehedi Hasan Miraz. “I missed out on a century again. I have been getting these starts for the past few innings, but I couldn’t convert them into centuries. I have been playing to my strength which were sweeps and reverse sweeps. They were bowling in the rough as well. I think I did a pretty good job,” said Dickwella.