In a historic achievement during Day 2 of the second Test against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka broke a 48-year-old record by scoring 531 runs in their first innings without any player reaching a century.
This marked the highest total by a team in Test cricket history without a single player scoring 100 or more runs. Six out of the top seven Sri Lankan batsmen scored half-centuries, with Kusal Mendis leading the way with 93 runs, while Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten on 92.
The previous record was held by India, who scored 524/9 declared against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976. At stumps on the second day, Bangladesh were 55-1 in their first innings after Sri Lanka was bowled out for 531 in Chittagong.
Opener Zakir Hasan remained not out on 28, while nightwatchman Taijul Islam was yet to score, following Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s dismissal for 21 by Lahiru Kumara.
On Sunday, Sri Lanka achieved a historic milestone by scoring 531 runs in their first innings against Bangladesh. However, Kamindu Mendis narrowly missed the opportunity to secure a third consecutive Test century.
Sri Lanka breaks 48-year-old Test record
During the second day of the second Test in Chittagong, Sri Lanka’s total became the highest ever scored in Tests without any batsman reaching a century.
Mendis was unbeaten at 92 when the final batsman, Asitha Fernando, was dismissed without scoring, depriving him of the opportunity to become the fourth Sri Lankan to achieve three consecutive centuries. In the previous Test, Mendis had scored 102 and 164 runs.
He showcased his ability by hitting Taijul Islam for two sixes in an over, edging closer to accomplishing the feat. However, Fernando was unsuccessful in reaching his crease while attempting to rotate the strike urgently.
In addition to Mendis, who was participating in only his third Test match, Dhananjaya de Silva (70), Dinesh Chandimal (59), Kusal Mendis (93), Dimuth Karunaratne (86), and Nishan Madhushka (57) each reached a half-century.
Shakib Al Hasan concluded with figures of 3-110 as Sri Lanka made Bangladesh work hard for almost two days after choosing to bat first. Sri Lanka began the second day with a score of 314-4.
De Silva, similar to Mendis, who also scored 102 and 108 in the previous Test, hinted at the possibility of achieving three consecutive centuries before being dismissed in the post-lunch session.
Chandimal was the lone batsman to be dismissed in the opening session, getting caught behind by Shakib after scoring 59 runs. De Silva fell lbw to Khaled Ahmed’s delivery in the first over following the lunch break.
Khaled had the opportunity to claim another wicket in the following over if Prabath Jayasuriya had not been comically dropped by three slip fielders when he was on six. Mendis seemed to be caught behind on 35 off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s delivery, but the decision was overturned after a review.
Shakib dismissed Jayasuriya leg before wicket, breaking his 65-run partnership with Mendis. Mendis, who had been dropped by Hasan Mahmud on 60 at deep square leg, continued his innings.
Sri Lanka secured a victory in the first Test in Sylhet by a margin of 328 runs.
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