In the first match of the T20 World Cup Super 12, Sri Lanka defeated Charith Asalanka and Vanuka Rajapaksa to chase Bangladesh by 171 runs for five wickets.
Asalanka hit an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls before adding 69 runs with Pathum Nisanka (24) before winning the match against Rajapaksa (53) for the fifth wicket in Sharjah on Sunday.
The hearts of the Bangladeshi fans were on their necks for two important breaks after two overs by Liton Das Afif Hossain for Rajapaksa and Mustafizur Rahman's 63 for Asalanka.
After posting a challenging total, Nasum Ahmed got off to a good start when Kushal Perera (1) went through the gate in the opening over.
Asalanka then put up a resistance with Nisanka as the pair broke regular boundaries to maintain the required rate, scoring 54 runs in the powerplay.
Mahmudullah brought in Shakib Al Hasan in the ninth over to take the pair to 71 for one, with Nisanka, the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup, and Avishka Fernando (0) dropping four balls from the gate. Shahid Afridi (39) is in the second place behind 41.
Six balls later, pacer Saifuddin Wanindu took Hasranga de Silva (6) on the scalp to stump Sri Lanka for 79 for 4 when the Tigers returned to the game.
The red and green men’s bowling, however, was not at all as Asalanka and Rajapaksa, the birthday boy, were duly punished for the unusual delivery.
By bringing Afif for a change, Mahmudullah hoped to reap an amazing reward. Although the offspinner hit a six off his first ball, he took the opportunity to sweep Rajapaksa but Lytton Square landed on the grass.
After two overs, the same mistake was made for Mustafizur but this time extra cover and all Bangladeshi hands on his head.
In the next over, Saifuddin was bowled out for 22 and the batsmen took full advantage. Nasum picked up Rajapaksa after reaching fifty on 26 deliveries, but by then it was too late.
Earlier, openers Naeem Sheikh and Mushfiqur Rahim's tough half-century challenged Bangladesh to 181 for four.
When asked to bat, the Tigers start in the air and find their feet with the bat after finishing second in Group B in the qualifiers.
Naeem (62 off 52 balls) and Liton Das (16) put on a strong 40-run opening stand. Mushfiqur then joined and made a smooth 63-run stand with Naeem for the third wicket.
Naeem hit six boundaries for his fourth T20 half-century before Binura Fernando's lone wicket fell, but Bangladesh were ready to explode late.
Mushfiqur, under pressure, swept and cut 37 balls with five boundaries and two sixes in his sixth T20I half-century.
At the end of the day, this little man, who was calm with the bat, helped Bangladesh to collect 53 runs in the last five overs.
For Sri Lanka, all the bowlers struggled to push the Tigers ’innings pace.
For Bangladesh, Chamika Karunaratne (1-12), Fernando (1-27) and Lahiru Kumara (1-29) took wickets and Afif Hossain (7) himself was run out.
After the match, Dasun Shanaka said, “It was not an easy target to chase but once the batsmen set it, any target can be chased. It was an outstanding innings of Asalanka. It’s very important for young people to come forward at this stage, it’s really nice to see that. "
In his post-match presentation, Mahmudullah said, “I thought 161 could be defended. Liton and Naim gave us a very good start. Naeem held the innings. Mushfiqur played a great innings. We were in the game until the tenth over. But then things went wrong for us.
"We will fix it in the next match. We watched the IPL game and thought an extra spinner would help. The spinners bowled well but we missed a few chances.
This game will strengthen our batting unit and we are looking forward to the next match. "
The Tigers will face England in the next Group 1 tie of the Super 12 in Abu Dhabi on 27 October.
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