Photo Story: Rain gods spoil Lankan charge

The heroics of Kusal Mendis and skipper Upul Tharanga went in vain as the second ODI against Bangladesh was called off due incessant rain at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium.

Kusal Mendis pushed Sri Lanka through past the 300 mark with some help from skipper Upul Tharanga before the 21-year-old Taskin Ahamed shone with a hat-trick in the final over.

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The Lankans were all out for 311 in 49.5 as the young speedster got his first ever hat-trick in international cricket today. The hosts provided the excitement from the batting department while the Bangladeshi bowlers provided the finishing touches with the rain putting a stop to proceedings later on.

Here’s what our photographer in Dambulla captured during an exciting first session of play.

1  Kusal Mendis’ elegant maiden century

After scoring 20, 4, 29, 1 & 4 in his last five innings, 22-year-old Kusal Mendis made his mark, scoring a hard fought 102 runs. Mendis struggled at the start but fought through to help in Sri Lanka’s cause.

2  64 for skipper in his 200th game

wasn’t too happy with his dismissal as he had to leave the field after being run out off a no-ball. Playing his 200th ODI,  Tharanga needs a little over a hundred runs to enter the 6000 run club.

3  Added responsibility for Mehedi

Apart from fielding in the deep, Mehedi Hasan was entrusted with getting rid of this four-legged pitch invader.

4  Perhaps the responsibility was too much?

The added responsibility must have been too much for the 19-year-old to handle as he missed a somewhat difficult catch of Milinda Siriwardena in the deep when the latter was on 26.

5  Maiden hat-trick for Taskin!

Nuwan Pradeep became Taskin’s third victim as the right-arm seamer took his first hat-trick in international cricket. 49.3 was Asela Gunaratne, 49.4 was Suranga Lakmal and 49.5 Nuwan Pradeep

6  Rain gods have the final say

Continuous rain halted play and after the final ground inspection, the umpires and match referee decided to call the second ODI off.  

A match that could have gone either way came a disappointing end but the Lions will be heading to SSC for another do-or-die battle to level the series.