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COLOMBO: Sri Lanka all-rounder Milan Rathnayake has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh due to a side strain sustained in the opening match.
The 28-year-old Milan briefly exited the field earlier on day two in Galle; however, he returned later in the innings, claiming three wickets.
Milan Rathnayake, who had played a Test so far, was pivotal in forging a crucial 84-run stand on the seventh wicket with Kamindu Mendis. He scored 39 off 83 deliveries in reply to Bangladesh’s mammoth first innings score.
In addition to this, the retirement of stalwart Angelo Mathews has left a vacuum, and young all-rounder Dunith Wellalage is set to replace him in the second Test.
It is noteworthy to mention that following the second Test match against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will have to wait for a year to play their next game in the longest form of cricket.
The two-match series opening Test ended up in a draw as Bangladesh piled on runs in the first innings, followed by steady batting in the second innings, thanks to back-to-back hundreds from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Bangladesh scored 495 in their first innings, while Sri Lanka in reply put on an impressive show with the bat, posting 485, courtesy of Pathum Nissanka’s career best 187.
In the second innings, the Tigers went on to score 285-6 before declaring. The match ended in a draw on a rain-shortened day, with Sri Lanka scoring 72-4. Sri Lanka’s mainstay in the Test lineup for more than a decade, Angelo Mathews, battled out with eight of 45 deliveries in his final innings.
Sri Lanka squad for second Test:
Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara
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