The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Banglaesh bowlers dominated over the Sri Lankan batsmen on the opening day of the first Test of the Grameenphone Test Series as they restricted the touring side to 172 for the loss of six wickets at the close of first day's play at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

The first day's game started at 11.15 AM instead of 9.30 AM due to foggy weather. Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka faced early debacle as the visiting side lost their first wicket for 24 runs.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the coutry's best medium pacer trapped lbw Malinda Warnapura, the opening batsman of the tourists.

Later, opener Micheal Vandort and Kumar Sangakkara rescued their team from early danger adding together 95 runs in the second wicket stand before

Sangakkara was caught at the mid-wicket by Mohammad Ashraful off Shakib Al Hasan, the spinner when the board was giving a reading of 119 for the loss of two wickets.

Sangakkara notched up a patient 43 off 101 balls. He hit seven shots beyond the ropes in his 140-minute knock.

After dismissal of Sangakkara, Micheal Vandort could stay at the crease for a short time as he was caught at the mid-wicket by Shakib Al Hasan off Shahadat Hossain, the medium pacer when the team's total was 121 for the loss of three wickets.

Vandort knocked a sedate 44 off 124 balls. He struck five fours and a sixer in his 196-minute innings.

Shakib Al Hasan bowled extremely well in his seco nd spell and finished as 8-1-13-3. He cleanly bowled skipper Mahela Jayawardene for just three.

And then, bowled out TM Dilshan for 14. At that time Sri Lanka's score was 155 for the loss of five wickets.

Shahadat Hossain struck again when Prasanna Jayawardene tried to pull the cherry and was caught at the fine-leg when the visitors total was 171 for six.

Shahadat Hossain finished a notable spell as 13.4-2-47-2.

Thilan Samaraweera and Chaminda Vaas were at the stumps with 20 and nought respectively.