Sri Lankan press labels Bangladesh defeat as darkest day

This is the first time Bangladesh have beaten the island nation in the longer version of the game. Prior to the Colombo Test, the two sides faced other 17 times. Among them, the Lankans won 15 while the other two encounters were drawn. Following the defeat, Sri Lankan press reacted strongly, labelling it a below-par performance. Sri Lanka’s leading English language daily “The Island” carried out an obituary note in its issue on Monday, terming March 19th, 2017, as “the darkest day in Sri Lankan cricket”. The headline of the news was “RIP, Sri Lanka Cricket”. The note says, “In affectionate remembrance of Sri Lankan Cricket which died at the Oval on 19th March, 2017”. And it concluded by saying, “The body will be cremated and the Ashes will be taken to Bangladesh”. The newspaper further wrote, “March 19th, 2017, will go down in history as the darkest day in Sri Lankan cricket as the world’s youngest cricketing nation Bangladesh stunned the home side to record their maiden Test win over the Lankans, at P Sara Oval [Sunday].” They also published a cartoon featuring SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala carrying the coffin of its national team. Popular national daily “Daily News” gave the headline - “SRI LANKA’S DARKEST HOUR in Test Cricket, lose to Bangladesh”. Another national daily “Daily Mirror” presented the headline - “Bangladesh script memorable Test win”. The Sri Lankan correspondent of popular cricket website ESPNcricinfo wrote a satirical anaylsis of the recently finished second Test as “Keep dreaming little brother” where he emphasised the political influence in Sri Lanka cricket and their vulnerable first-class cricket structure. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh in the first Test in Galle by 259 runs but suffered a four-wicket loss on day five at P Sara Oval. Meanwhile, some parts of the Colombo crowd congratulated Bangladesh after their win in their historic 100th Test. Some people were even chanting “Well done, Hathurusingha” after the match. Bangladesh have three Lankans in their coaching staff - head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, batting coach Thilan Samaraweera and fitness coach Mario Villavarayan. The P Sara Oval was Hathurusingha's home ground in his first-class cricket days.