Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2017: 1st Test day 4, 5 Talking Points

#3 Gunaratne brought back down to earth

After a series of good scores, Gunaratne was cleaned up for a duck by Shakib

Asela Gunaratne had been enjoying a great run in international cricket ever since his maiden hundred against the Proteas in the last match of the ODI series in South Africa.

The all-rounder went on to play a crucial role in the T20s in Australia and his form and performances earned him a place in the Test side, which was missing the presence of Angelo Mathews.

Gunaratne celebrated his return to the Test side with a superb half-century in the first innings, combining with Kusal Mendis to develop a 196-run partnership. However, his exploits came to a grinding halt as he was cleaned up for a duck by Shakib’s flighted delivery in the second innings.

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#2 Late declaration

Sri Lanka's all-too-late declaration surprised one and all

Upul Tharanga and Dinesh Chandimal had taken Sri Lanka to a formidable lead but the declaration never came from stand-in skipper, Rangana Herath. Bangladesh continued to set defensive fields and Sri Lanka proceeded to milk the spinners.

Even as tea arrived on day 4 with Sri Lanka leading by a mammoth 429, the declaration did not come. Chandimal and Dilruwan Perera smashed a few to the fence and added 27 more to the lead before Mustafizur had Perera edging behind. The dismissal, though, finally forced Herath’s hand.

With the threat of rain looming large, a huge target already achieved, and just a day's play remaining after today, the late declaration was a bizarre move by Herath and co. The fact that the highest successful run chase at Galle is 99 and the highest fourth innings total is 300 makes the decision to declare so late even more perplexing.