The Test Updates

Bangladesh are handling the outstanding bowling attack by West Indies while Sri Lanka are fighting to stay in the Test Match against Pakistan after trailing by 16 runs into their 2nd Innings.

                  

Bangladesh v West Indies 1st Test, Day 1 (Dhaka)

Bangladesh 255 for 4 (Mushfiqur 68*, Tamim 52) v West Indies

Bangladesh are steadying the ship with fine partnerships and batting display by Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim. Darren Sammy had difficulties with the lack of variety with the pitch and had to constantly change bowlers with spin to pace and vice versa. There were jolts during the partnerships like Shahriar Nafees being struck by a bouncer and had to retire for the day with a bloody nose during his short lived innings of 21 with fours 4s to his name in 18 balls. Tamim Iqbal was taking his time in the crease and was playing beautiful shots from straight drives to cover drives to brings his 52 until Marlon Samuels (2-67 in 22 overs) struck with a tricky ball to hit. Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with Raqibul Hasan. But Bangladesh need to have long partnerships rather than just 40-50 runs partnerships. At the moment, Mushfiqur Rahim is settling with 68 not out while the wait to see how Shahriar Nafees' condition to continue to play will be lingering into the Bangladesh dressing room with Nafees being a key batsman that can be resilient at time of aggressive bowling.

Pakistan v Sri Lanka 1st Test, Day 4 (Abu Dhabi)

Sri Lanka 298 for 5 (Sangakkara 161*, Thirimanne 68) and 197 trail Pakistan 511 for 6 dec by 16 runs

Kumar Sangakkara was the stand out player in the 2nd Innings of the Sri Lankan team with 168* out of his team's score of 298-5. But the day has been frustrating for the Pakistan bowlers with 5 dropped catches and only 4 wickets taking during the day. Mohammad Hafeez was man to blame for most of the catching opportunities with Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal eventually getting Mahela Jayawardene and Tilakaratne Dilshan bowled. After lunch, a frenzy of dropped catches and lucky edges for boundaries by Sangakara and Angelo Matthews got the Pakistan team flopping around everywhere mentally and physically. Hafeez dropped 3 catches in the afternoon session as well as a tough call for umpires when Younis Khan wasn't sure if he caught it cleanly from Sangakara. With Sangakara let off, Pakistan need to shake off the nerves, regroup and focus for the next day when Pakistan can either draw or win this match with Sri Lanka only trailing by 16 runs with 5 wickets remaining.