Not just about a toss

Before the Bangladesh openers took guard, before Lasith Malinga plodded in to deliver the first delivery, the Premadasa Stadium put the players to a test of their respect for their nation - or at least their national anthem. The drizzle started after Amar sonar Bangla began, but by the time it ended, the light shower had become a downpour. Faithfully, and unflinchingly, though, the Sri Lanka side began singing Sri Lanka maatha, and were drenched in the rain even before they knew. However, they stuck it out manfully through both verses of the longish anthem, even though there was all likelihood of the players having to swim back to the dressing room by the time it got over.

Some players do it via a statement, others do it at a press conference, and Mahela Jayawardene had once done it in a tweet. But perhaps no international cricketer has announced his retirement at the toss, as Mashrafe Mortaza did today. The announcement followed hours of speculation and, as is characteristic of the man, was made with minimal emotion and fanfare. Having elected to bat, Mashrafe hit an unbeaten nine off five balls, and then claimed two of the Sri Lanka wickets, to remind Bangladesh exactly what they are going to miss.

Sabbir Rahman should have made his ground after pushing a ball towards cover and taking off for a quick single in the sixth over. However, instead of running his original line - which would have seen him cover the quickest route to the other crease and may have also brought in the benefit of blocking the throw into the equation - Sabbir appeared to have been spooked by the advancing fielder. He veered sharply to his left, like an auto-rickshaw that has lost one of its rear tyres, and was caught short by a few centimetres after Seekkuge Prasanna threw down the stumps with a sharp throw.

Lasith Malinga might not quite have pace of his younger years, nor the physique, but twice in this match did he muster ripping renditions of the ball that had earned him the reputation a limited-overs specialist. His first ball swung in slightly towards Tamim Iqbal, but was wide of the stumps. The second ball curved back late and lavishly, beating Tamim for pace, as well as movement, and toppled his middle stump. Late in the innings, after a couple of less impressive overs, he gave Mahmudullah's middle stump the same treatment.