2024-03-15 04:03:13
Published: 22:35, 13 March 2024 Updated: 09:27, 14 March 2024
In the last ODI against Sri Lanka, he missed the century in Delhi by just 10 runs on the World Cup stage. Never got close to a century before. Madushan’s four on a straight drive from the 90s today may have been one of the best of the day. Nazmul Hossain did not make a mistake this time. The nervous nineties didn’t hold back. He picked up the century. His team also got a great victory.
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the first ODI thanks to Captain Shantar’s century innings. Bangladesh reached the target of 256 runs given by Sri Lanka at Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong with Shanta’s unbeaten innings of 122 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim’s sparkling 73 was as brilliant as Shantar’s century. The pair of 165 runs in the fifth wicket of the two gave Bangladesh an easy victory. Against Sri Lanka which is Bangladesh’s highest five-wicket haul.
However, the image of this easy victory was not in favor of Bangladesh at the beginning of the second innings. Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nishanka struck fear in the Bangladesh camp by scoring 71 runs in 9.5 overs in the opening pair. From there, Tanjim Hossain lost 3 wickets in 3 consecutive overs and Sri Lanka went on the backfoot. They fought again in the middle of the innings, but they did not get much capital in the last over due to the great bowling of the pacers of Bangladesh. But this capital is no less challenging with artificial light.
Bangladesh is in disaster at the beginning of chasing the target. There was a discussion about who would be Lyton’s partner. Hathurusinghe sent his beloved ‘student’ Soumya. But both the openers failed. Lytton bowled first ball of the innings. Soumya gifted her wicket to the opponent for 3 runs. Down to four, Tawheed couldn’t break the inertia and bowled for the same run.
Mahmudullah and Shanto took the responsibility of pulling back Bangladesh after losing 3 wickets for 23 runs. The bowlers were disorientated by Mahmudullah’s attack. Shant also grasped the opportunity and hit the boundary fan. Runs come easily. Bangladesh came to a strong position with the pair of 69 runs. But Mahmudullah couldn’t play properly due to leg strain. He had to stop at 37 runs while playing the shot with extra risk. He made his way to the dressing room after finishing the innings in 34 balls with 4 fours and 1 six.
From there Mushfiq and Shanto took the trust to the port of Joy. Neither of them took unnecessary risks. Both of them started batting with cricket grammar. From 96, the pacer reached a quiet century by hitting Kumara for a boundary. Taking time to settle in at the start, Shanta completed his fifty off 52 balls. He has to play 108 balls to reach the three-figure house. Hit 11 fours and 1 six to reach the century. In the end, the captain of Bangladesh left the field after taking the team to the port of victory with four hits.
Besides, Mushfiqur showed all his experience of playing great cricket today. He remained unbeaten on 73 runs in his instinctive batting with no inertia. Finished the innings with 8 fours off 84 balls.
Earlier, after Tanjim’s devastating spell, Bangladesh kept the score of the match to themselves. However, Kushal Mendis and Janith Lienage struggled. The duo scored 69 runs. Lienage scored the highest 67 runs for the team. The young batsman brought fighting capital to the team by arranging the innings with 3 fours and 2 sixes from 69 balls. Kushal Mendis scored the second highest 59 runs. The Sri Lankan captain finished the innings with 5 fours and 1 six off 75 balls.
Bangladesh’s three pacers Shariful, Taskin and Tanjim got 3 wickets each. Miraj pocketed 1 wicket. Tanjim got 3 wickets in 44 overs instead of Mustafiz. Couldn’t finish over his quota. 8. He left the field after 4 overs. Taskin and Shariful were expensive in the beginning but later came back well. They did not let the target go beyond their reach.
After that, Shanta’s heroics ensured the victory of Bangladesh before 32 balls.
Dhaka/Yasin/Vijay
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