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'Hope he's OK': Cricket world stunned by scary on-field incident

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Kusal Mendis, pictured here complaining of chest pains in the second Test against Bangladesh.
Kusal Mendis was taken to hospital after complaining of chest pains. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

The cricket world was left shocked on Monday when Kusal Mendis was taken to hospital with chest pains during the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Mendis was taken from the field clutching his chest on the opening day of the second Test in Dhaka before being taken to hospital.

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Team officials later said Mendis underwent an ECG test at a Dhaka hospital and the results showed no major complications.

“Kusal is currently having some checks done on him to make sure he’s OK,” Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood said.

“Hopefully, he will be OK and back with us in the hotel tonight.”

Kusal Mendis, pictured here walking from the field holding his chest.
Kusal Mendis comes from the field holding his chest. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images) (MUNIR UZ ZAMAN via Getty Images)

Mendis appeared to be in discomfort and laid down on the field during the last over before lunch.

He was attended to by medical staff but left the field soon after.

Bangladesh Cricket Board doctor Manzur Hossain said initially that Mendis' discomfort could have been caused by dehydration or gastritis.

He was replaced in the field by Kamindu Mendis.

Mendis scored 54 off 131 balls in the first innings of the drawn first Test, followed by a quick 48 in the second innings.

Bangladesh on top of Sri Lanka early in second Test

Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das went on to hit centuries and shared a record stand to turn the tide for Bangladesh after a disastrous start.

At stumps, Liton was unbeaten with a career-best 135 with Mushfiqur on 115 - his second hundred in as many innings.

Bangladesh reached 277-5 on the first day after electing to bat at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The pair added 253 in their unbroken sixth-wicket stand after Sri Lanka's pace bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando shared five wickets between them to leave Bangladesh in tatters on 5-24 in a chaotic first hour of play.

Mushfiqur played a part in Bangladesh's previous highest sixth-wicket stand when he shared 191 runs with Mohammad Ashraful, also against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2013.

Liton Das, pictured here celebrating with Mushfiqur Rahim during the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Liton Das celebrates with Mushfiqur Rahim during the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images) (MUNIR UZ ZAMAN via Getty Images)

"It is one of the best partnerships I have seen as a coach in Tests," said Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo.

"We were 20 (24) for five, under a lot of pressure. It was an amazing effort by those two batters.

"Obviously, we didn’t start well this morning. Couple of false shots, couple of good deliveries.

"Test cricket is hard but those guys showed amazing skill and character to get us in this good position."

Liton brought up his third Test hundred off 149 balls owing to a misfield, which yielded Bangladesh five runs.

Mushfiqur, who also scored 105 runs in the drawn first Test in Chittagong, then reached his ninth Test hundred off 218 balls.

The pair gave the only chance to Sri Lanka during their partnership for over two sessions when Liton lofted a catch on 47 off Fernando.

But substitute fielder Mendis dropped the chance at backward square leg.

with agencies

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