Sri Lanka’s Super 12 campaign in the T20 World Cup got off to an ideal start with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Half-centuries from Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa helped Sri Lanka pull off their highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history breaking the 14-year-old record.
Terrific chase
Despite losing opener Kusal Perera early in the run chase, Nissanka and Asalanka got the run chase back on track as the latter took on the bowlers in powerplay overs. Even after three quick wickets in eighth and ninth over, Asalanka kept Sri Lanka in hunt. The partnership between Asalanka and Rajapaksa changed the game. They needed 46 runs from last five overs but Rajapaksa turned the game in Sri Lanka’s favour with a 22-run over including two fours and two sixes. Rajapaksa went on to score his second T20I half-century. He got out for 53 runs from 31 balls whereas Asalanka stayed till the end and remained unbeaten for 80 runs from 49 deliveries laced with five fours and sixes each.
Shakib’s record-breaking double
Shakib Al Hasan etched his name in T20 World Cup history books and it is likely to stay there for a long time. Shakib took two wickets in his second over getting the opener Pathum Nisanka and Avishka Fernando out in the ninth over of the run chase. With two wickets, Shakib surpassed former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s tally of 39 wickets, to become the leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cups. The left-arm spinner bowled three overs and conceded 17 runs in the match.
Rahim back-in-form
While Mohammad Naim played the role of the anchor with his 52-ball 62, it was the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim who provided the much-needed acceleration towards the end. Rahim remained unbeaten for 57 off 37 deliveries and helped Bangladesh post a fighting total of 171/4.
