BAN vs SL | Kasun Rajitha replaces Vishwa Fernando as concussion substitute in Chattorgam Test

The ongoing Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Chattogram was not a happy outing for Vishwa Fernando, who was playing his eighteenth Test. He was replaced by Kasun Rajitha, who came in as a concession substitute in the first session of Day three after bowling four overs. The concussion replacement rule came into effect on 1 August 2019 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) 's approval. 

Fernando suffered a blow to the helmet from a Shoriful Islam delivery in the second session of Day two. He did play out the session but couldn't accompany Angelo Matthews at the start of the final session.

After the fall of Lanka's ninth wicket, the right-hander came out to bat again and remained unbeaten on 17* as his side folded for 397. 

He did manage to bowl a four-over spell before stumps on Day 2. Until being replaced, Fernando had bowled eight overs giving away 42 runs.

Rajitha made an immediate impact on his arrival in the playing XI picking the wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque.

The Matara-born player last featured for Sri Lanka in a Test against South Africa at Centurion in 2020. He has so far played ten matches for the Lankan Lions, picking 27 wickets. 

The visitors won the toss and opted to bat first against the hosts, where a magnificent 199 from Matthews helped his side reach 397. Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal also scored half-centuries. Bangladesh's Nayeem Hasan claimed his career-best figures of 6 for 106, while wily Shakib-Al-Hasan picked 3 wickets.

In reply, the Bangla Tigers are currently 318 for 3, with Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim batting on 54* and 53*, respectively. Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 162 runs for the first wicket.

Their partnership was broken after Joy was dismissed off Asitha Fernando for 58. Tamim went on to complete his 10th Test ton, that too on his home ground, before getting retired hurt on 133*.