Bangladesh recorded their biggest victory in ODI cricket, defeating Sri Lanka by 163 runs in the tri-series tournament in Dhaka, as the hosts’ star players came to the party.
The result means that Bangladesh have won their opening two encounters of the tri-series, having dispatched Zimbabwe by eight wickets in the opening fixture, while Sri Lanka have succumbed to their second successive defeat.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Bangladesh’s batting core delivered. Tamim Iqbal got off to a slow start but soon began to profit from the short ball, despite getting struck on the lid twice. He made 84 from 102 balls, and became more dominant after reaching fifty. In all, he hit seven fours and two straight sixes off successive Asela Gunaratne deliveries.
Shakib Al Hasan, who got rich reward from an array of full-blooded pull shots, plundered 67 at more than a run a ball, which ignited a fine all-round performance, while Mushfiqur Rahim smacked 62.
Bangladesh’s first three partnerships all contributed more than 50 runs. It was only the second time Bangladesh’s top four had made such a productive start, and a stark contrast to the limp Sri Lanka reply to come.
Furthermore, batsmen three to seven all boasted a 100-plus strike rate. Cameos from Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman capped off a confident batting performance, as Bangladesh set Sri Lanka 321.
After the interval, Sri Lanka’s reply never got going, with wickets at regular intervals preventing the batsmen from gaining any kind of momentum. Bottom line: it was a remarkably underwhelming batting performance from the visitors, with Thisara Perera top-scoring with 29. They only managed to occupy the crease for 32.2 overs.
Shakib picked up three wickets – he was on the brink of a hat-trick at one point – and was admirably supported by Rubel Hossain (2/20) and Mashrafe Mortaza (2/30), who both had an impressive economy rate of 3.75.
It was a fine eight-over opening spell by Mashrafe, who had Upul Tharanga caught at mid-off before dismissing Kusal Mendis in similar fashion in the 14th over. Sri Lanka’s first Powerplay yielded just three fours off the bat but saw both openers depart.
Nasir Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman also claimed a wicket each, while Bangladesh’s bowlers conceded just one wide, compared to Sri Lanka’s seven.
Perera’s two fours and as many sixes in the 30th over against Shakib was too little, too late. Rubel Hossain’s dismissal of Dananjaya cued celebrations and rounded off a heartening victory for Bangladesh and their fans.
The next match in this tri-series tournament sees Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe at Dhaka on Sunday, while Bangladesh will face Zimbabwe on Tuesday. The final will take place on Saturday 27 January.
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