Shakib's calm, Tharanga's surrender

If the Sandakan-Pathirana collision showed Sri Lanka's fielding in a comic light, Upul Tharanga's catch at cover somewhat restored the balance from the critics' prism. The effort - a low catch diving fully forward - not just temporarily lifted the side but also prevent Bangladesh from chancing runs anywhere near him for a while.

Over the last six months, Shakib Al Hasan has often been criticised for his ultra-aggressive approach in dicey periods in Tests, the second evening of the Colombo Test where he survived two chances only to return the next day and completely shut out risk to make a century being a prime example. Here too, he showed similar restraint after Bangladesh lost two wickets in the space of five deliveries. He struck his first boundary only off the 37th delivery he faced. Did the change in mindset hamper Bangladesh? If at all, it only gave them the edge as he accelerated superbly in the end overs.

Whether Upul Tharanga's heal was behind the crease or not, in the fourth over, turned out to be the most talked-about decision in the game. Ultimately the third umpire S Ravi decided after looking at multiple replays from every possible angle that Tharanga was not out even though visual evidence suggested otherwise. Bangladesh had every reason to be frustrated, but not more than those in the Sri Lankan change rooms when their captain played daft shot to get out. His lame pull off Taskin Ahmed in the 11th over floated to Mashrafe Mortaza at mid-on. Being three down for not much in a steep chase meant the heat was well and truly on.