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Dhananjaya's Fifer helped to clinch the series 1-0

Bangladesh plunged, Sri Lanka's spinners soared and the Mirpur Test tore to its conclusion midway through day three, the visitors triumphing by 215 runs. Debutant Akila Dananjaya was prime destroyer. He scythed rapidly through the Bangladesh lower-middle order, taking 5 for 24 to make it eight wickets on debut - the best performance by a Sri Lankan on debut. The charge to victory was also sweet for Rangana Herath, who claimed 4 for 49 and in doing so, became the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history. After even Sri Lanka's lower order had batted with a little mettle, the rate of Bangladesh's demise in this Test will irk the hosts. Only four batsmen made it into double figures, and no one batted for longer than 51 deliveries. The pitch was as treacherous as ever, but chances were too freely given. Perhaps, chasing a highly improbable 339, and with little chance of saving the game, the futility of their situation contributed to their meekness. It took Sri Lanka few...
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Malinga Spoke About His Retirement

Lasith Malinga acknowledged his time as a player in the Indian Premier League is over and expressed a desire to move on. Malinga has struggled because of several injuries and that has impacted his performances in international cricket. His declining bowling stocks has also coincided with Sri Lanka's dwindling fortunes. "Mentally, I am over with playing cricket," Malinga told Press Trust of India on Thursday (February 8). "I don't think I will play international cricket anymore. I am planning to announce my retirement soon. "I have not spoken to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) but once I go back, I will have to again go through the domestic grind, see how my body responds. But now as my IPL career is also over and I am starting a new chapter with Mumbai Indians, I might not play again." Malinga has joined Mumbai Indians as their bowling mentor ahead of IPL 2018 after the franchise decided not to retain him ahead of the auctions. The pacer acknowledged he wasn...

Mendis and Dhananjaya battle adversity to keep Sri Lanka afloat

Bangladesh taking an early wicket in a home Test has meant, at least in the last 15 months, a couple more following quickly. England and Australia found themselves in trouble early as reputable batsmen were riddled with self-doubt at the first sign of a slightly turning ball, close-in fielders and big appeals. When Dimuth Karunaratne fell to Mehidy Hasan in the third over with his side yet to open their account, the home side may have thought of an impending collapse. Judging by the bowling changes and field settings, it was clear that they expected Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva to be roadkill on their way to taking the upper hand in the first Test. But these two Sri Lanka batsmen didn't take a step back or let the close-in fielders or bowling changes get to them. Mendis and Dhananjaya got down to business rather quickly, and turned the tide in their favour (or as cricketers like to say, shifted the momentum). Dhananjaya finished the day unbeaten on 104, his fourth Test ce...