Home
Mahedi Hasan's economical four-wicket haul followed by Tanzid Hasan Tamim's unbeaten 73 led Bangladesh to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the series decider on July 16 at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This is Bangladesh's first-ever T20I series win over Sri Lanka.
Mahedi wreaks havoc
Sri Lanka captain Chairth Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam got the ball rolling with the prized wicket of an in-form Kusal Mendis. Mahedi struck in his first over. He dismissed Kusal Perera for a golden duck. In the third over, Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal got reprieves. Mahedi was brought back into the attack from the other end and he delivered with Chandimal's wicket. Sri Lanka were 40/3 after powerplay overs. In the eighth over, Mahedi knocked over captain Asalanka for a single-digit score. In his last over, Mahedi ended Nissanka's stay at the crease. The opener got out caught and bowled for 39-ball 46. Sri Lanka lost half the side for 66 in the 11th over.
Mahedi finished his quota of overs with four wickets for 11 runs, the best bowling figures for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in the format. The record previously belonged to Mustafizur Rahman who took four wickets for 21 runs at the same venue in 2017.
Shanaka's cameo gets Sri Lanka to respectable score
Kamindu Mendis tried to accelerate but his stay at the crease was ended by a sharp catch off Shamim Hossain's bowling. Sri Lanka crossed the 100-run mark in the 16th over. Mustafizur was brought back into the attack and he dismissed Jeffrey Vandersay who took 14 deliveries to score seven runs. No boundary was scored in the next two overs. Dasun Shanaka went berserk in the last over. He hit Shoriful for two fours and two sixes in the 22-run over. Shanaka's unbeaten 25-ball 35 took Sri Lanka's score to 132/7.
Tanzid ensures Bangladesh get over the line
Nuwan Thushara got Sri Lankan bowlers tails up with the first ball. He dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon lbw for a golden duck. Skipper Litton and Tanzid took calculative risk against the new ball. After powerplay overs, Bangladesh were 47/1. Asalanka brought himself into the attack but was welcomed by Tanzid with two sixes. In the ninth over, ambidextrous Kamindu got the breakthrough. Das departed for a 26-ball 32. Tanzid reached his fifty from just 27 balls in the 10th over. After a few quiet overs, Kamindu created a chance but Maheesh Theekshana dropped Tanzid's catch. The opener rubbed sault on Kamindu's wounds with a maximum. In the 17th over, Bangladesh finished the run chase.
Tanzid remained unbeaten for 73 runs from 47 balls, including a four and six sixes. This is the highest score by a Bangladesh batter in a successful T20I run chase. The previous record belonged to Mushfiqur Rahim who scored 72 not out against Sri Lanka at the same venue in 2018.
ADVERTISEMENT
