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Murali blasts batsmen

Bishwaiit Roy
"Bangladesh hasn't learnt much in their batting but bowling-wise they have improved a lot". The speaker was none other than champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran who has every right to say this after the Tigers' batting performance on (he second day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Rangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
"Bangladesh got the talent but they don't know how to play (he long innings. They haven't learnt much bu( the fast bowlers and the lefi-arm spinner (Shakib Al Hasan) have improved a lot," observed the wrecker-in-chief Muralidaran, who continued his success against his favourite side by taking the 66th five-for of his career.
One can't expect more when the home side wrap up their opponents below three hundred runs (293) thanks to Shakib Al Hasan's fourth five-for but in the end the day didn't belong to Mohammad Ashraful's men for a second successive day as the batsmen squandered the chance.
There have been a few partnerships as the team got a good start and most of the batsmen triumphed over the initial nervousness but still the Tigers were reduced to 177 for nine, 116-run behind the Lankans' total. Where lies the problem? It seemed nobody knows the answer as left-handed batsman Mehrab Hossain responded: "This is also something we ask ourselves”.
But one can't find this answer if there was a lack of application in the batting and
Bangladesh skipper could be the best example of this. The stage was perfect for Ashraful to increase the pressure on their opponents by burying his long lean patch and he got the much-needed siart to come up with another big one against his favourite opponent.
But the right-hander was trapped in his opponent's simple strategy as the packed off side ploy worked when Ashraful went for the drive against Chaminda Vaas only to be snapped up by Tillakaratne Dilshan who took a fine catch diving to his left.
The opening pair Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes raised the hopes after Sri Lanka were bundled out for 293 resuming the day on 172 for 6 but dangerman Muralidaran broke the 44-run partnership by dismissing the former in his very second delivery.
Tamim went for a defensive stroke but got hit on the glove to reach short leg for a simple catch by Malinda Warnapura but his partner Kayes, who hit 33, was guilty of throwing his wicket away as the left-hander got an outside edge off a Chaminda Vaas delivery to keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
Shakib and Mehrab looked well set to revive the hope but this time left-arm spinner Rangana Hearth struck when the latter offered a catch to Mahela Jayawardene at slip for a 39-ball 29 that also contained a six against Murali to make sure the champion off-spinner was hurt somewhat.
On the other hand one-down Zunaed Siddiqui moved up well but he had no answer against Murali's doosra as the tall left-hander looked to cut it away but only managed to guide it onto the stumps to put an end to his fighting knock of 68-b all 29.
The Bangladesh batsmen however was consoled by the observation of Murali regarding the pitch as he had a different opinion about the character of the surface.
"It's not a good batting wicket. I think it's a traditional (sub-continent) wicket and there was hardly any bounce. Those wickets were good where we last played the matches. It may happen because there are more moisture," said Murali.
After every success he face one question: how long you want to go? This question was also asked after his five-wicket haul and the record-breaking bowler reminded everyone of his age.
"I'm now thirty-six and getting old. I hope (Ajantha) Mendis takes over the charge from me," said Murali.
Murali may have been concerned of his age while thinking about his future but one thing was sure that there is not immediate relief for the Tigers batsmen until or unless they apply their common sense in their batting.
SCOREBOARD
Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in
Mirpur on Saturday:
SRI LANKA: First innings (overnight 172-6)
Vandortc Shakib b Shahadat 44
WarnapuralbwbMashrafe 14 Sangakkara c Ashraful bShakib 43
M Jayawardene b Shakib 3 Samaraweera c Zunaed bShakib 90
Dilshan bShakib 14
P Jayawardene c Tamim b Shahadat 6
Vaas c Mushfiqur b Mashrafe 37
Prasad lbw bShakib 3
Herathrunout 1
Muralidarannotout 0
Extras (b-4.lb-13.nb-9.w-12) 38
Total: (All outin 89.4 overs) 293
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-119, 3-121,4-135,5-155,6-171,7-270, 8-285,9-291. Bowler O M R W
Mashrafe 18 2 67 2
Mahbubul 19 4 56 0
Shahadat 16 2 55 2
Shakib 28.4 4 70 5
Mehrab 6 1 22 0
Ashraful 2 0 6 0
BANGLADESH: First innings Tamim c Warnapura bMuralidaran 17
Imrul c P Jayawardene bVaas 33
Zunaed bMuralidaran 29
Ashraful c Dilshan bVaas 12
Rokibulb Prasad 11
Mehrab c M Jayawardene b Herath 29
Shakib c M Jayawardene bMuralidaran 26
Mushfiqurnotout 11
Mashrafe lbw bMuralidaran 0
Shahadat st P Jayawardene bMuralidaran 5
Mahbubul not out 0
Extras: (b-4) 4
Total: (Forninewktsin 59 overs) 177
Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-68, 3-
90,4-95,5-117,6-158,7-162,8-162,9-176.
Bowler O M R W
Vaas 11 4 33 2
Prasad 13 0 61 1
Dilshan 2 0 2 0
Muralidaran21 8 48 5
Herath 12 1 29 1