Late fightback not enough as Bangladesh fall to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka handed Bangladesh a six-wicket defeat with 32 balls to spare in their second match of the Asia Cup T20 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Bangladesh had earlier recovered from 53 for five to post 139 for five, thanks to a spirited sixth-wicket stand between Shamim Hossain (42 not out) and Jaker Ali (41 not out). But the total proved inadequate against a dominant Lankan chase.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Pathum Nissanka powered Sri Lanka with his 16th T20I half-century, bringing up fifty off 32 deliveries with six fours and a six. Alongside Kamil Mishara, he steered the team to 107 within 10 overs, with the bowling side struggling under pressure. Even Mustafizur Rahman, usually reserved for the death overs, was pressed into service early and completed three overs before the halfway mark, conceding 35 runs.
Bangladesh briefly clawed back into the game through Mahedi Hasan. The off-spinner struck in successive overs, dismissing Nissanka for 50 with Shoriful Islam pulling off a superb catch at deep square leg, before trapping Kusal Perera (9) lbw on review. The Tigers' tails were up when Tanzim Hasan Sakib sent back Dasun Shanaka in the 14th over, Mustafizur covering ground at fine leg to complete another sharp catch. At 126 for four, the Tigers sensed an opening.
But Sri Lanka's skipper Charith Asalanka quickly settled nerves with a six, guiding his side to the target in 14.4 overs. Mishara anchored the chase with an unbeaten 46 off 32 balls, laced with four fours and two sixes. It was his second career T20I fifty, coming just a week after his maiden unbeaten 73 against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh's bowling lacked bite overall. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain went for 18 runs in a single over, while the Tigers' attack rarely troubled Sri Lanka's top order.
The result leaves Bangladesh under early pressure in Group B after they opened campaign with a victory over Hong Kong. They face Afghanistan on Tuesday in what is shaping up to be a must-win clash to keep their Asia Cup campaign alive.
Bangladesh's late rally to 139 looks thin against Sri Lanka surge
Sri Lanka tightened their grip on their second match of the Asia Cup T20 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday after Bangladesh were sent in to bat. Chasing 140, they cruised to 107 for one in 10 overs, with opener Pathum Nissanka bringing up a fluent fifty.
Bangladesh struck an early blow when Mustafizur Rahman removed Kusal Mendis in the second over. The left-arm pacer, usually held back for the death overs, was pressed into service early and bowled three overs inside the first 10, including the one that brought the breakthrough.
But his effort did little to derail Sri Lanka's momentum. Nissanka reached his 16th T20I half-century off just 32 balls, striking six fours and a six to anchor the chase. At the other end, Kamil Mishara provided solid support with a quick 31, the pair putting together a commanding stand after the early loss.
Earlier, Bangladesh recovered from a shaky start to post 139 for five after being asked to bat first. Reduced to 53 for five inside 10 overs, they were rescued by Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali, who added 85 runs for the sixth wicket. Shamim remained unbeaten on 42 while Jaker made 41, both off 34 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of Sri Lanka's bowlers with two for 25.
The late partnership gave Bangladesh some hope, but with Sri Lanka already well ahead of the rate, the chase looks firmly in their grip.
Shamim, Jaker help Bangladesh post 139
Bangladesh push for runs finally came through the sixth-wicket partnership between Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain, helping the team to post 139 for five in 20 overs.
Shamim was unbeaten on 42 while Jaker on 41 -- both off 34 deliveries -- as Bangladesh added 85 runs in the final 10 overs.
The eventual score had looked a far-fetched dream when Bangladesh were five down for 53 within the first 10 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga was the wrecker-in-chief with a two-wicket-haul for 25 runs.
........
Things didn't improve much following the fall of the openers as Bangladesh lost half the side within the first 10 overs, barely crossing 50.
Tawhid Hridoy was the third to fall, getting run-out for a none-ball eight before Mahedi Hasan, promoted up the order, departed for a seven-ball nine.
In-form captain Litton Das looked to counter-attack, but he too could not get Bangladesh to any respectability, losing his wicket for a26-ball 28.
Litton was the second scalp of Wanindu Hasaranga following the dismissal of Mahedi as Bangladesh batters hardly had a clue to the googlies the veteran Sri Lankan leg-spinner dished out. Bangladesh were 54 for five at the end of the 10th over.
.........
Bangladesh lost both openers --Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon -- in the first two overs without putting any runs on the board.
Tamim was bowled off the sixth ball of the first over bowled by Nuwan Thushara, the left-hander missing the line of the ball completely. Emon, the next one to fall, offered a catch to the wicketkeeper off the fourth ball of the next over, bowled by Dushmantha Chameera.
The first run came off the 14th delivery of the innings.
.............
Taskin Ahmed has been replaced by Shoriful Islam for Bangladesh's crucial second match of the Asia Cup T20 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday as Bangladesh were sent in to bat by Sri Lanka.
Taskin took two wickets in the first match against Hong Kong, but proved expensive, giving away 38 runs in the process. That is the only change in the side as Bangladesh will look to all but ensure their Super 4 berth win a win. A defeat, however, would put them under a lot of pressure ahead of the final group game against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das said he didn't mind batting first. "Don't mind batting first, looks like a good wicket. We played good cricket in the first game, we have to improve in certain areas. To win a game you got to get everything right," Litton said at the toss.
TEAMS
Bangladesh: 1 Pervez Hossain Emon, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das, 4 Tawhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis, 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Matheesha Pathirana, 11 Nuwan Thushara.
Comments