Bangladesh cricket team head coach Russell Domingo believes a total of around 520 runs in the first innings will have opposition Sri Lanka under pressure.
The Bangladesh coach revealed his thought after stumps on day two of the first Test where visitors Bangladesh are on the driving seat after posting 474/4 at Pallakele International Cricket Stadium Thursday.
Following a quick 90-run innings from opener Tamim Iqbal, captain Mominul Haque and Nazmul Hossain Shanto dominated the opposition bowlers to guide Bangladesh to a rare big total in a Test innings.
Shanto, who scored his maiden ton on the first day, extended the innings to 163 and Mominul scored 127, his first away century, to form a record third-wicket stand.
But Bangladesh lost the chance of getting further grip on the match as the day was closed early with rain that wasted 20-25 overs.
At last the much awaited away century came for Mominul Haque.https://t.co/grYIpDYbv3
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 22, 2021
“We will make up some time over the next three days. I don’t think any more overs will be lost in the game (having lost some due to bad light). We will discuss it overnight but we need to get some quick runs (Friday) morning. If we can get around 520, it gives us a good opportunity to put them under some pressure,” said Domingo during a virtual press conference Thursday.
The wicket at Pallekele has favored the batters although it was expected the track may aid faster bowlers.
Both the sides packed their sides with pacers but the hosts could hardly cause trouble for the Bangladesh batters.
When queried if it is something for Bangladesh management and bowlers to think about, Domingo said, “We know it looks like a good wicket but the amount of heat that’s been on it, there’s a bit of a rough developing outside the right-hander’s off-stump. Hopefully our spinners can come into it. Batting second after a big score, there’s always a little bit of tiredness. There’s scoreboard pressure. It takes one or two mistakes, a couple of good spells from one or two bowlers, and you have got a real chance of taking 20 wickets. We know it will be hard for the next couple of days but we are willing to put in those big sessions, be patient and find ways of getting wickets on a good batting wicket.”
“I really think that building pressure for periods of time is going to be important for our seamers. It is not a pitch where you can just run through guys in 40-50 overs. We have to be patient and build pressure. We have to bowl in the right areas consistently and take our chances. It is the bottom line. Getting 20 wickets is not easy in Tests, so the guys have to make sure that they are really disciplined over the next couple of days,” the South African explained.
