Day 4's proceedings of first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka came to an abrupt halt due to heat in Chattogram. Umpire Richard Kettleborough became victim to the scorching heat at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and had to go off the field during the second session.
In Kettleborough’s absence, third umpire Joel Wilson came to take over his duties on the field. The heat did not just have an effect on the umpire the 49-year-old who is also a former Yorkshire cricketer.
Only 21 overs were bowled in the two hours of the second session as even umpires did not mind breaks in between to replenish themselves. The fielders and umpires were seen taking shelter from the sun under giant umbrellas.
In reply to Sri Lanka's 397, Bangladesh scored 465, taking a 68-run lead. They declared their first innings after Shoriful Islam got injured, which led to him getting retired out.
For hosts, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim scored centuries whereas opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Liton Das scored half-centuries. Rahim also became the first Bangladesh batter to score 5,000 runs in the format.
For visitors, Kasun Rajitha took four wickets, Asitha Fernando took three wickets whereas Lasith Embuldeniya and Dhananjaya de Silva took one wicket each.
Earlier Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat first. Veteran Angelo Mathews led Sri Lanka from the front. Mathews missed his double century by just one run but led Sri Lanka to a total of 397 in the first innings.
For Bangladesh, 21-year-old Nayeem Hasan took six wickets whereas Shakib Al Hasan bagged three wickets. The one remaining wicket was taken by Taijul Islam as Bangladesh pacers remained wicketless.
