Bangladesh’s Tawhid Hridoy hits a six during the men’s T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Grand Prairie Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas. (AP)
In another chapter of a storied rivalry, Bangladesh pipped Sri Lanka by two wickets in a nervy finish of their T20 World Cup Group D clash at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Saturday.
The win was Bangladesh’s first over Sri Lanka across three World Cup meetings, setting them off the blocks in a competitive group. Opting to bowl on a bouncy surface, Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto was made to rue his decision at the start.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka met the ball with precision even as the Bangladesh seamers fed on stump-to-stump lines on a firm pitch. While Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman dismissed his top-order partners Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis within the Powerplay, Nissanka sped off the blocks with seven fours and two sixes, largely covering the arc from long-on to deep mid-wicket. The islanders were building on quickly before Bangladesh pegged their arch-rivals back by a string of quick wickets.
While Mustafizur induced a miscued slog from Nissanka (47), young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain spun a web around the middle-order with three wickets in his four-over spell. Consequently, Sri Lanka spiralled from 70 for two to finish sluggishly on 124.
Bangladesh’s reply did not get off on the right not either with openers Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar falling within the first two overs. Skipper Shanto failed to flicker either as he fell on seven off 13 deliveries. However, a third-wicket rearguard by Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy put Bangladesh back in the hunt. Hridoy’s charged counter laced with three consecutive sixes off Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga eased out the chase.
Though seamers Nuwan Thushara offered a late scare with two successive wickets in the 18th over, Sri Lanka were short of lead bowling resources at the death. In the end, veteran Mahmudullah shepherded a shaky lower-order to push Bangladesh over the line with an over to spare.
Sri Lanka have now lost two successive matches and find themselves at the bottom of the group. They will face Nepal next on Wednesday in Florida. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will face group toppers South Africa in New York on Monday.
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