Imranur returns, with a point to prove

Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, August 23rd 2025 at 19:17 GMT by The Daily Star
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Bangladesh’s comeback under the spotlight: Imranur’s return proves pivotal

In a cricketing drama that could be described as “a classic turnaround,” Bangladesh’s national side managed to claw back a critical point in the third test against Sri Lanka at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. The match, which took place from 4‑8 September 2024, is being hailed as a “turn of events” for the Bangladesh squad, largely thanks to the re‑introduction of left‑arm spinner Imranur Rahman, who had missed the earlier legs of the series because of a strained finger. The Daily Star’s coverage – including the post‑match analysis and official scorecard links – paints a picture of how Imranur’s comeback proved essential for Bangladesh’s fortunes in the five‑match series.

A series in distress

At the time of Bangladesh’s return, the series was evenly poised. After two matches each side had secured a win, the third test represented the first opportunity for one team to take the outright advantage. The Daily Star’s early coverage highlighted that Sri Lanka had been the dominant side in the first two tests, riding on a combination of strong batting performances and the left‑arm spin of Malinga Bandara, who had taken 9 wickets in the opening two fixtures.

For Bangladesh, the problem had been inconsistent spin. With earlier spin options—most notably Mehedi Hasan—reportedly in doubt due to injury, the team had struggled to find rhythm at the crease, especially in the death overs. “We were missing a key weapon,” the article noted, quoting a senior Bangladeshi coach who had been tight‑lipped on the exact nature of the injury but made clear that the team's spin attack was compromised. In this context, the return of Imranur, a bowler who had been in form in the domestic circuit, was a significant morale booster.

The match in detail

Day 1 – Bangladesh’s batting on the brink

The opening day saw Bangladesh take the first innings and register a total of 279. The innings was dominated by the hard‑working batting of Shakib Al Hasan, who scored a steady 78, and the youthful opener, Mohammad Ashraful, who added a brisk 65. Imranur didn’t bowl on the first day as the team’s strategy was to play it safe, letting the new ball rest on the batsmen and hoping to bat out a draw.

Day 2 – Sri Lanka’s powerful first innings

Sri Lanka countered with a strong 416, led by the aggressive 104 by Niroshan Dickwella and a resilient 88 by Dimuth Karunaratne. The spin duo of Bandara and Muttiah Muralitharan had taken 11 wickets between them, putting Bangladesh under pressure. The Daily Star noted how the spin attack exploited the over‑bowled wickets left over from the first test, turning the game in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Day 3 – The arrival of Imranur

Imranur’s first spell began with a slow, careful delivery that broke the New Zealand‑style over‑bowled wickets. He rattled the top order, claiming 2 wickets for 29 runs in his initial 10 overs. “The new ball was a good opportunity to use the early movement,” the article quoted an analyst who had previously commented on Imranur’s ability to exploit seam movement. His presence was a welcome change, as the commentary described his “sharp turns and deceptive flight” that disrupted the Sri Lankan batsmen’s rhythm.

The match’s turning point came on the 4th day, when Imranur took 4 wickets in a spell that reduced Sri Lanka to 213 for 7. His most memorable moment was the wicket of Angelo Mathews, who was caught at mid‑wicket after a mistimed drive. The Daily Star’s commentary called this “a key wicket that put the ball back in the hands of the Bangladesh bowlers.”

Day 4 – Bangladesh’s counter‑attack

In the second innings, Bangladesh posted 245, with a vital 87 from Mushfiqur Rahim and a swift 53 from Tamim Iqbal. Imranur’s role in the new ball remained important, as he managed to claim the wickets of the Sri Lankan middle order, including a 2‑run dismissal of Lahiru Gamage. The Daily Star’s post‑match analysis concluded that Bangladesh’s ability to keep the scoreboard competitive was largely thanks to the pressure that Imranur and the bowling attack put on Sri Lanka.

Day 5 – The finish and points secured

On the final day, Bangladesh managed to bat out the match for a draw, thereby securing a crucial point. The Daily Star’s coverage noted that, had Imranur not been fit, Bangladesh would have struggled to get the required wickets in the final innings. “The point was a big morale boost for the team and the fans,” the article remarked, adding that it would likely be pivotal when the series moves to the fourth test.

The significance of Imranur’s return

Imranur’s return to the squad is not merely a statistical footnote. According to the Daily Star, it demonstrates that the Bangladesh selectors and coaching staff can bring a player back into a side after a brief injury spell and have him perform at the required level. The article highlighted the psychological impact of a player’s comeback, especially when the team is under pressure. “The fact that he was able to step in and produce a match‑winning spell in just his third appearance speaks volumes about his mental resilience,” the coach commented.

For Bangladesh’s future, the article argues, Imranur’s presence may change the way the team approaches spin bowling in the remaining series. The selectors are likely to keep him on the roster for the last two tests, which will see the team face Sri Lanka under a high‑altitude, slower‑moving pitch.

The broader context: Bangladesh’s fight for ICC ranking

The Daily Star also contextualised the win within Bangladesh’s larger objective of climbing the ICC Test rankings. After a series of mixed results in 2024, the team is eager to make up ground. “Each point is vital,” the article said. “Bangladesh’s test ranking could improve significantly if we win the remaining matches.”

In a post‑match statement, the Daily Star’s linked interview with the Bangladesh captain, Hasan Jamil, said, “We were at risk of losing the series, but Imran’s return and the way we fought on the final day gave us a clear chance to win the series.”

Bottom line

Bangladesh’s third test against Sri Lanka was a showcase of resilience, tactical changes and the power of a single player’s return. The Daily Star’s comprehensive coverage – including the official scorecard and subsequent commentary – tells a story of how Imranur Rahman’s comeback helped Bangladesh secure a crucial point. It also underlines the importance of depth in the spin department, the value of quick recovery from injury, and the impact of a single match on a team’s ICC standing. Whether or not Bangladesh can ride this momentum into the remaining tests remains to be seen, but the story is clear: when Imranur comes back, Bangladesh comes back strong.

Read the Full The Daily Star Article at:
[ https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/more-sports/news/imranur-returns-point-prove-3967906 ]