Sri Lanka seal dominant win over Bangladesh
Player of the match Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka cozily added 95 runs for the second wicket. Mishara remained unbeaten on 46 off 32, while Nissanka hit his 16th T20i half century with a 50 off 34 balls - AFP
Sri Lanka could hardly have wished for a more emphatic beginning to their Asia Cup campaign as they brushed aside Bangladesh with a performance that underlined both their bowling firepower and batting composure, surging to victory by 6 wickets with 32 balls to spare at the Abu Dhabi Cricket Ground last night.
The victory was built around a devastating bowling display from Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga, whose combined brilliance had Bangladesh reeling before a late stand pushed the score towards respectability. Yet the chase of 140 never troubled Sri Lanka, as Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara produced a calm, commanding second-wicket partnership to seal the result with ease.
Sri Lanka’s strategy with the ball was clinical. Inviting Bangladesh to bat first, they tightened the screws from the outset and never allowed the innings to settle. Thushara’s opening over set the tone: fast, full, and accurate. His reward came with the final ball of the over, a searing delivery that uprooted Tanzid Hasan’s off stump in a maiden over.
Chameera complemented him perfectly. Relentless with his line and length, he had Parvez Hossain Emon caught for a duck, leaving Bangladesh two down without a run on the board. After four overs, the scoreboard showed a mere 7 for 2, an indication of the control exerted by Sri Lanka’s new-ball pair.
The middle overs brought no respite. Hasaranga, introduced in the seventh over, trapped Mahedi Hasan plumb in front with his second delivery. Moments later, he outfoxed Litton Das with a trademark googly, the decision confirmed on review. At 54 for 5, Bangladesh were staring down the barrel.
Though Jaker Ali and Shammi Hossain resisted with an unbroken 86-run stand, even that partnership could not disguise Sri Lanka’s dominance. Bangladesh finished on 139 for 5, a total that looked competitive only thanks to their lower order’s fightback. For most of the innings, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had their opponents by the throat, with Thushara’s precision, Chameera’s hostility and Hasaranga’s guile all on full display. Matheesha Pathirana leaked runs so as part-timer Dasun Shanaka but the rest of the bowling was brilliant.
If the bowling was ruthless, the batting was assured. Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis cheaply, but there was no panic. Nissanka, in the form of his life, settled quickly, picking off boundaries with consummate ease. His innings carried statistical significance as well as aesthetic pleasure. His 50 not only marked his 16th half century in the format but also saw him surpass 2,000 career T20 international runs – making him only the third Sri Lankan to achieve the feat after Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera.
He was well supported by Mishara, who continued the fine touch he displayed against Zimbabwe in the warm-up series. Together they added 95 runs for the second wicket in just 52 balls, dismantling Bangladesh’s bowling attack with ruthless efficiency.
Sri Lanka’s hundred came up inside 10 overs, a clear measure of their intent and dominance. Though Nissanka eventually fell to a sensational catch by Shoriful Islam – sprinting across the boundary and holding on superbly over his shoulder – the game was already out of Bangladesh’s reach.
If Nissanka laid the foundation, Mishara ensured that, despite the quick wickets of Kusal Janith and Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka reached the target with ease. Unbeaten till the end, his innings was a model of control and aggression, punctuated by crisp strokes and intelligent strike rotation. He remained not out on 46 off 32 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes.
For Sri Lanka, this victory was more than just two points on the group table. It was a statement – that they have arrived at this tournament with intent and clarity of purpose. With Hong Kong and Afghanistan as their next opponents, the win has put them in a commanding position to qualify for the next stage.
| Scoreboard | |
| Bangladesh Tanzid Hasan b Thushara 00 (Full inswinger on the off, and straightening, looks to drive, but finds a massive gap) Parvez Emon c Kusal M b Chameera 00 (Slightly back of the length delivery, looks to drive and edges to find the keeper) Litton Das c Kusal M b Hasaranga 28 (Attempted reverse sweep, pops up off the pads after grazing the top of the glove) Towhid Hridoy run out 08 (Pulls and looks for a third run, Mishara’s fine throw from deep square leg is quicker than the batter) Mahedi Hasan lbw b Hasaranga 09 (Googly, spins back to hit the front pad, looks to defend but trapped lbw) Jaker Ali not out 41 Shamim Hossain not out 42 Extras (b2, lb3, w6) 11 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 139 Did not bat: Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Tanzid, 0.6ov), 2-0 (Emon, 1.4ov), 3-11 (Hridoy, 4.3ov), 4-38 (Mahedi, 7.2ov), 5-53 (Das, 9.5ov) Bowling: Nuwan Thushara 4-1-17-1, Dushmantha Chameera 4-1-17-1, Dasun Shanaka 3-0-27-0, Matheesha Pathirana 4-0-42-0, Wanindu Hasaranga 4-0-25-2, Charith Asalanka 1-0-6-0 Sri Lanka Pathum Nissanka c Islam b Mahedi 50 (Short delivery, comes down the track, pulls and brilliantly caught in the deep near the rope) Kusal Mendis c Das b Rahman 03 (Fine length, pitches on the stumps and moves across the off only to find an edge) Kamil Mishara not out 46 Kusal Perera lbw b Mahedi 09 (Quick, flat delivery on the off but angles in, attempted reverse sweep and misses, appeal turned down, but successfully reviews) Dasun Shanaka c Rahman b Tanzim 01 (Decent delivery on the pads, clears neatly, but dazzlingly caught in the deep) Charith Asalanka not out 10 Extras (lb5, w16) 21 Total (4 wickets; 14.4 overs) 140 Did not bat: Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Kusal M, 1.5ov), 2-108 (Nissanka, 10.3ov), 3-123 (Kusal P, 12.3ov), 4-126 (Shanaka, 13.2ov) Bowling: Shoriful Islam 3-0-26-0, Mustafizur Rahman 3-0-35-1, Tanzim Hasan 3-0-23-1, Mahedi Hasan 4-0-29-2, Rishad Hossain 1-0-18-0, Shamim Hossain 0.4-0-4-0 |