Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in Super Four after Saif, Hridoy fifties
Bangladesh opened their Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup with a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing 169, the Tigers reached the target in 19.5 overs, powered by brisk half-centuries from Saif Hassan (61 off 45) and Towhid Hridoy (58 off 37).
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. With 55 needed off the last six overs, part-timer Kamindu Mendis's 15th over swung the chase in Bangladesh's favour. Hridoy struck two fours and a six to collect 16 runs from it, bringing the asking rate below eight and easing the pressure.
Hridoy, who had made a slow start, accelerated smartly to bring up his fifty off 31 balls, finishing with four boundaries and two sixes. Saif, meanwhile, anchored the innings after an early setback, putting together two key partnerships -- 59 off 34 balls with Litton Das (23 off 16) and 54 off 45 with Hridoy.
But the finish was not without tension. Hridoy fell in the 19th over, leaving the lower-middle order to complete the job.
In the final over bowled by the experienced Dasun Shanaka, Bangladesh's Jaker Ali (9 off 4) and Shak Mahedi (first-ball duck) both departed, briefly complicating matters. Eventually, Nasum Ahmed nudged the winning run, aided by Sri Lanka missing a direct throw at the striker's end.
Earlier in the group stage, Bangladesh had lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets. This time, however, the Tigers turned the tables to start their Super Four campaign with a vital win. They next face India on Wednesday, September 24.
Pressure on Sri Lanka as Saif's second T20I fifty keeps Tigers in the hunt
Bangladesh batter Saif Hassan kept his side on track after the early dismissal of fellow opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, but his innings came to an end just as the chase reached a crucial stage in their Asia Cup Super Four opener against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Saturday.
Chasing 169, the Tigers reached 114 for three in 14 overs. Saif, who struck four sixes and two boundaries in a composed knock, departed for 61 off 43 balls when Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed him with the final delivery of the 14th over.
Earlier, Saif had brought up his second career T20I fifty off 36 balls, steadying the innings after the first-over setback. At the other end, Towhid Hridoy has struggled for fluency, moving to 28 off 21 balls after briefly breaking free with a six off Dunith Wellalage.
The Tigers now need 55 runs from the last six overs.
Saif show gives Tigers early hope in Sri Lanka chase
Bangladesh recovered after the early dismissal of Tanzid Hasan Tamim in their Asia Cup Super Four opener against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Saturday, but the loss of skipper Litton Das right after the Powerplay has dealt them another blow.
Chasing 169, the Tigers reached 62 for two after seven overs. Saif Hassan raced to 36 off 23 balls, striking three sixes and a four, while Litton made a brisk 23 off 16 with three boundaries before falling to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in the seventh over.
Litton is now the highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in T20Is, with 2556 runs, having surpassed Shakib Al Hasan's tally of 2551.
Hasaranga needed just three deliveries to make an impact, luring Litton into a sweep against the turn that he mistimed, with Pathum Nissanka completing a comfortable catch at deep backward square leg.
Earlier, Sri Lanka struck in the first over when Nuwan Thushara's slower off-cutter uprooted Tamim's off stump as the left-hander charged down the track and missed.
Mustafizur, Mahedi help keep Sri Lanka to 168/7
Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets for 22 runs while Sheikh Mahedi took two for 25 as Bangladesh restricted Sri Lanka to , despite a quickfire half-century from Dasun Shanaka.
The former Sri Lanka captain plundered an unbeaten 63 off 37 balls to help the islanders to a rousing finish after Bangladesh had pulled things back nicely in the middle overs.
.......
Sheikh Mahedi, back in the side, dealt a double blow to Sri Lanka, stemming the flow of runs in the process. The off-spinner got rid of the dangerous Kusal Mendis top-edging a slog-sweep to Saif Hassan for a 25-ball 34.
Mahedi then got rid of Kamil Mishara (5) in his next over, the left-hander losing his stumps trying an ungainly reverse-sweep. Sri Lanka were 72 for three at the halfway stage of the innings.
Mustafizur accounted for the wicket of Kusal Perera (16) as Sri Lanka looked in a spot of bother, but a hurricane half-century from Dasun Shanaka and some lusty blows from Charith Asalanka (21) helped them post a challenging total of
.......
Taskin Ahmed drew the first blood to stem the run flow of Sri Lanka after Bangladesh opted to bowl first in their first Super 4 match in Dubai on Saturday.
The right-arm quick got rid of Pathum Nissanka (22 off 15) as the Lankans had raced to 44 within five overs. Taskin, after being hit for a six off his first ball, came back to get the first breakthrough. Kusal Mendis was going strong, though, as Sri Lanka reached 53 for one after the first Powerplay.
....................
Bangladesh bolstered their bowling attack, with pacer Shoriful Islam and off-spinner spinner Sheikh Mahedi returned to the playing XI for the Tigers, who opted to bowl first after winning the toss in their first match of the Super Four stage of Asia Cup T20 in Dubai on Saturday.
The two players to make way are leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remained unchanged from their last group match against Afghanistan.
Speaking to the broadcasters, Bangladesh captain Litton Das said that the recent history of this venue prompted him to bowl first. "When I saw the first leg, the second team won. I am also confused about the wicket, so want to bowl. We are very excited. All the members are doing a great job. We have two changes."
TEAMS:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das(w/c), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Comments