Sadeera Samarawickram’s knock of 93 and the bowlers guided Sri Lanka to a comfortable victory. Sadeera Samarawickram showed immense maturity in his significant knock. It’s a great birthday to remember for the captain Dasun Shanaka who picked up 3 wickets in a critical situation along with Theekshana and Pathirana who also picked up 3 wickets each as they won by 21 runs.
Bangladesh elected to bowl first in a must-win encounter against Sri Lanka as they are going in with the extra spinner in the form of Nasum Ahmed coming in for Afif Hossain. On the other hand, Sri Lanka went with the same team and wanted to bat first
Pathum Nissanka starts with a boundary. Taskin finds the inside edge of the bat as the batter tries to defend. The ball runs past through the fine leg region for a four.
Hasan Mahmud picks up Dimuth Karunaratne as the change of bowling from Shakib has worked as Hassan was brought into the attack earlier today than usual and he has responded to the captain’s call. Shakib has been top-notch with his captaincy throughout the tournament and has shown it again today as Karunaratne goes for 18 caught behind.
GOOD BOWLING LET DOWN BY FIELDING
Bangladesh’s bowling attack came on to bowl with a plan on their mind as the fast bowlers used the swinging conditions and created multiple chances in the initial overs of the game.
Nissanka was beaten a couple of times in the opening over and the decision overturned and a couple of drops. hurt Bangladesh One was dropped by Mushfiqur in the Hasan’s over. Difficult one as the keeper had to dive to his right and could not hold onto it despite having a full stretch and putting down an easy chance.
Pathum Nissanka, Mendis departs
Just when they are looking to go for an attack Mendis and Nissanka depart in quick succession as Shoriful comes in with a valuable breakthrough. He bowled an off-cutter which the batter did not read and tried to play the ball late by tapping down for an easy single however, the ball hit the pad first and was given out and the umpire decision stood when Nissanka reviewed the partnership of 78 runs came to end Nissanka goes for a well made 40.
On the other end Trying to uppercut the short ball against Shoriful. Mendis is caught in the third man by Taskin immediately after scoring a half-century.
Hasan Mahmud comes back into the attack and picks up Dhananjaya de Silva. It was a brilliant delivery from Hasan he knew the ball was still doing a bit and he used it by presenting the seam nicely. The ball swung a bit and De Silva trying to cut the ball gets the edge to the keeper.
Sadeera Samarawickram 93 takes Sri Lanka to 257.
A top knock high-quality one. On a surface where everyone struggled, Sadeera Samarawickram came in when his team was locked in a tricky situation played some classic strokes rotated the strikes along with his captain and scored a responsible knock of 93 off 72 with 8 fours and 2 sixes before getting out of the final ball of the innings
Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmad the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh as they took 3 wickets each 3 for 57 and 3 for 62 respectively along with Shoriful who took two vital wickets.
STEADY START FOR THE BANGLADESH OPENERS
It’s a steady start for the Bangladesh openers as batted cautiously as they have completed a well-crafted half-century before Shanaka breaks them both with short ball tactics. First Miraz was caught by (sub) Hematha and then Naim was caught behind.
MUSHFIQUR AND HRIDOY RESCUED BANGLADESH.
A nice partnership blooming between Mushfiqur and Hridoy. They are rotating the strike nicely and keeping them in a run chase. Oh just when they are looking to take the game from Sri Lanka.
Rajitha picks up a vital catch to dismiss Mushfiqur Rahim off the bowling of captain Shanaka. Theekshana came back in full force as he trapped Hossain’leg before.
In the next over Theekshana did the same for the hero of the match for Bangladesh Hridoy was trapped lbw which was unfortunate for him which shows the umpires call in ball tracking. Hridoy walks back after playing a fabulous innings of 82 off 97 balls with 7 fours and a six
Pathirana once again proved he is the best at the death as he took the final two wickets of the match.