We conceded too many runs in 1st innings: Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhaka, 21 June -Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva lamented conceding too many runs in the first innings, which he believes went against them at the end of the first cricket Test against Bangladesh.

Although the match ended in a draw, de Silva still believes they need to rectify those mistakes in the second and final Test, starting on June 25 in Colombo.

"I always talk about the first innings, bat or ball. The game went from our hand, the way we bowled in the first innings, it was a flat wicket, but (we conceded) too many runs in the first innings," de Silva said after the match today. 

"That's an area we have to cover for the next match. They (bowlers) tried their best."

But he had no reservation to heap praise on Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladeshi duo who scored centuries in the match. 
Mushfiqur was the top-scorer in the first innings with 163 while Shanto hit centuries (148 and 125 not out) in both innings.

Thanks to Mushfiqur and Shanto, Bangladesh compiled a hefty 495 in the first innings before being all out.

"The wicket was flat, Shanto and Mushi batted really well. We got early breakthroughs but they didn't give us a chance to get into the game," he opined, adding that he is reluctant to blame his spinners despite not being able to contain runs.

"They (spinners0 had their plans, that's the beauty of Test cricket, the batters absorb the pressure and put it back to us."

Sri Lanka, however, conceded the first innings lead after being all out for 485. Bangladesh then declared on 285-6, setting Sri Lanka 296 for a victory. 
Sri Lanka eventually reached 72-4 in 32 overs at stumps.

Dhananjaya de Silva also paid a glowing tribute to veteran Angelo Mathews who retired from the Test cricket with this match. 

"I came to this team under Angelo's captaincy and he's played his last game under my captaincy. That's something to remember for me," he said.

"It's a sad day for me individually, a legend like Angelo Mathews leaving the Test dressing room. But we have to look forward and I think we have the backup for Angelo."BSS