News by “Sana Ullah”
Leading from the front, skipper Najmul Hossain orchestrated Bangladesh’s emphatic eight-wicket triumph against Sri Lanka to level the three-match T20I series 1-1 on Wednesday.
Liton Das (36) and Towhid Hridoy (32 not out) provided valuable support, propelling Bangladesh to 170-2 in 18.1 overs after their bowlers had contained Sri Lanka to 165-5, having elected to bowl first.
Liton and Soumya Sarkar (26) initiated the victory with a 68-run opening partnership before Matheesha Pathirana removed both batsmen, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.
The visitors were left aggrieved when Soumya was initially ruled out, caught behind off Binura Fernando for 14, only for the decision to be overturned by the third umpire.
Pathirana lifted their spirits with successive strikes, but Najmul and Towhid thwarted any further progress by putting on an 87-run partnership for the third wicket.
Najmul sealed the win with a six off Dasun Shanaka, also securing his fourth T20I fifty in the process.
Najmul attributed the victory to his bowlers’ efforts in limiting Sri Lanka to a chaseable score.
“All credit to the boys, especially to our bowlers. I’m really pleased with the way we bowled,” he said.
Sri Lanka, who clinched Monday’s opening match by three runs, endured inconsistent batting as several batsmen got starts but failed to convert them into significant scores. Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 37 off 27 balls, while Kusal Mendis contributed 36 off 22 balls.
Kamindu and Kusal stitched together a 66-run partnership for the second wicket after a slow start, providing Sri Lanka with a foundation for a substantial total.
Soumya dismissed Kusal to break the partnership and impede Sri Lanka’s progress.
Meanwhile, Kamindu was run out after a brisk 27-ball innings, featuring three fours and two sixes.
Stand-in skipper Charith Asalanka blasted 28 off 14 balls, including three sixes and a four.
“We fell short by 20-25 runs… as batsmen, we need to capitalize on these conditions. It’s tough for the bowlers in such conditions,” Asalanka remarked after the match.
Mahedi dismissed Asalanka before he could inflict significant damage on the home side.
However, Angelo Mathews and Shanaka ensured Sri Lanka didn’t veer off course entirely.
The duo accumulated 53 runs for the sixth wicket, with Mathews remaining unbeaten on 32. Shanaka, Sri Lanka’s bowling standout in the opening match, finished unbeaten on 20.
