If someone looks at the scorecard of the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh clash a few years down the line, the person may feel that it was a one-sided affair in the end. But, the game between two teams who were already out of the World Cup 2023 semi-final race was fuelled with aggression after Angelo Mathews was adjudged timed out after Shakib Al Hasan refused to withdraw the appeal. There were several clashes between players and expletives were exchanged before on-field umpires intervened doused the flames. But Shakib-led Bangladesh managed to earn two crucial points with a three-wicket win and kept their chances of qualifying for Champions Trophy 2023 alive.
At Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, as winds made the playing conditions better amidst pollution, Shakib won the toss and opted to bowl first. Shoriful Islam struck in his first over with the wicket of Kusal Perera as Mushfiqur Rahim took a one-handed blinder diving to his left. Pathum Nissanka hit Islam for three fours in his next over. He used the fielding restrictions whereas Mendis took his time in the middle. Mendis broke free in the 11th over with a maximum off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. In the next over, Shakib dismissed him with a fuller length. He scored 19 runs from 30 balls. In the next over, Nissanka got bowled by Sakib. He scored 41 runs from 36 balls featuring eight fours.
Charith Asalanka got off to a good start as he hit Sakib for a six. Sadeera Samarawickrama hit Mehidy Hasan Miraz for two consecutive fours as well. The partnership was building in the middle overs when Shakib got the wicket of Samarawickrama. He scored 41 runs from 42 balls including four fours. Next ball, Mathews came out to bat but his helmet's strap came off. He could not take the strike within two minutes and was given timed out amidst heated exchanges on the field. Mathews became the first batter to be given timed out in international cricket.
Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva brought calm to the crease. Asalanka reached his half-century from 56 balls. Mehidy broke the partnership in the 38th over. Dhananjaya got out stumped for a 36-ball 34. While Maheesh Theekshana struggled, Asalanka inched closer to his century. In the 46th over, Islam got the wicket of Theekshana who contributed with 22 runs from 31 balls. Asalanka got to his century from 101 balls in the 48th over. He departed in the next over after hitting Sakib for a six. He scored 108 runs from 105 balls including six fours and five fours. In the same over, Kasun Rajitha for a two-ball duck. In the final over, Dilshan Madushanka got run out as Sri Lanka got bowled out for 279 with three balls left in the innings.
In the run chase, Tanzid Hasan started off with two fours in the first over. Madushanka came back well with the wicket of Tanzid in the third over. Litton Das was dropped in the same over as well. Das smashed Rajitha for two consecutive sixes to boost the run rate. In the next over, Das got out lbw to Madushanka. The opener scored 23 runs from 22 balls. Shakib was dropped as well early in his innings off Mathews' bowling. Asalanka dropped the catch. The partnership between Shakib and Najmul Hossain Shanto did not let Sri Lanka make a comeback. Shanto completed his half-century from 58 balls whereas Shakib got to his fifty from 47 balls.
Shakib hit Rajitha for two fours and a six. In the 32nd over, Mathews got the breakthrough. Asalanka took the catch this time. The captain scored 82 runs from 65 balls including 12 fours and two sixes. After a wicket-maiden, he dismissed Shanto as well. He scored 90 runs from 101 balls including 12 fours. Mahmudullah tried to end the run chase early with boundaries. Madushanka returned and dismissed Mushfiqur in the 38th over. Mahmudullah then got bowled by Theekshana for a 23-ball 22. Towhid Hridoy's two sixes did not let the pressure get to his side. Theekshan dismissed Mehidy as well but it turned out to be a consolation. Sakib ended the run chase with a boundary as Bangladesh won the match by three wickets with 53 balls to spare.
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