We have to do a bit of damage control after losing our way – Kamindu

Saturday, 21 June 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s prolific middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis said that Sri Lanka needed to do a bit of damage control to get back into the game after losing their way in the first Test against Bangladesh at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

When stumps were drawn at the end of the fourth day it was Bangladesh who was calling the shots having taken a slender first innings lead of 10 runs and finishing on 177-3 to lead overall by 187.

“When there is a big total on the board, we always want to get a lead on this pitch. We went for that but we lost wickets unfortunately. Now we have to do a bit of damage control. We will try to fight back,” said Kamindu.

“It’s very unfortunate that we lost DDS (Dhananjaya de Silva) and Kusal (Mendis) in that fashion. If that had not happened, they would have both scored runs. Then obviously my wicket was crucial as well. Had I survived that ball, we could have taken a lead. Today, in the morning session the wicket spun more than the final session.”

“I think the game is open to both sides. If we are able to get three wickets easily, then we are up for a challenge. We want to win this game and if we can take their wickets, we can bat out two sessions and win the game. I am confident we can chase down the target. Our confidence is good. We will assess things as the wicket plays.”

Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan who caused the Sri Lankan collapse after lunch to finish with figures of 5/121 said his variations was the key to his success.

“The main thing is I tried to bowl in one area and keep changing the seam position. The main thing was bowling in one area. Depending on the batsmen I tried to vary the lines. Tried to bowl different lines to different batters and it paid off.” One of Nayeem’s five victims was the wicket of Kamindu Mendis who has scored heavily against Bangladesh.

“It is good to have the wicket of a batter in form. Really enjoyed getting Kamindu’s wicket. He has scored a lot of runs against us. Very happy with the ball that got him.”

On the status of the match Nayeem said, “We are thinking positive. We have to start the first session positively. Our mind-set is to win the game.” – [ST]

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