CHATTOGRAM, May 15, 2022 (BSS) - Bangladesh spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath was pleased with the performance of the bowlers, specially the spinners even though the visiting Sri Lanka looked to have upper-hand over the match after day one of the opening Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today.

He said still the match is in the balance but the bowlers need to replicate the performance on day two to control the game.

"Especially on the first day of a Test match, I am happy with how the bowlers did," Herath said here today.

"Shakib and Taijul bowled well. Nayeem also took two wickets. He hasn't played much cricket in the last 18 months but he has been practicing a lot. In that case, I saw that he needed a bit of confidence, but when he got that wicket off the first ball, his confidence (was restored)."

Sri Lanka basically rode on the 12th Test ton of Angelo Mathews to put them on top for the time being. Mathews was batting on 114 with another veteran Dinesh Chandimal on 34. 

As the duo is still in the crease, Sri Lanka looked to head towards a big total in the first innings. 

Herath believes two quick wickets on day two morning session could turn the fortune towards Bangladesh.

"They are 258-4 so I am sure we need two quick wickets as soon as possible tomorrow morning. We want to keep them under 400 runs, so we have to get them bowled out for another 120-130 runs," Herath added. 

Having said that Herath praised Angelo Mathews for his excellent knock that gave the visitors an upper-hand. 

"It is a bit of an equal performance. Some credit should goes to Sri Lanka, especially Angelo Mathews who hit a fantastic hundred. They batted well, and we bowled well," he remarked. 

"I know Angelo very well. We have played a lot of games together. He always has the hunger to play for his country. Whether he is 34 or 36, he is always looking for a challenge. To be honest, as a Sri Lankan it was a fantastic hundred in the heat. I am sure he will continue to do a lot of things for Sri Lanka."

But according to Herath, Bangladesh will face a lot of challenge against spinners of Sri Lanka.

"They have good spinners like Embuldaniya, Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, which gives them a quality spin attack. It will be a good challenge for us tomorrow and the day after."