What a terrific game of cricket we have had here in Dubai. At the end of it all, it was Sri Lanka who held their nerves to win by 2 wickets with 4 balls to spare. Asitha Fernando does it with the ball under pressure. The Tigers have given away 8 wides and 4 no-balls and they bow out of the tournament. The Lankans are into the Super 4s. Chasing a daunting target of 184 for the win, the Lankans rode on
Kusal Mendis's 60 off 37 balls as he aced the chase despite getting three reprieves through the course of the innings. Pathum Nissanka contributed with 20 while the middle-order fell away a bit. The skipper
Dasun Shanaka kept the Lankans in the chase with his 45 off 33 balls. Chamika Karunaratne contributed with 16 off 10 balls before being run out. But it was the debutant's
Asitha Fernando 10 off 3 balls at the end that took the Lankans over the line in a thriller in Dubai. Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with his
2-24 alongside the
two brilliant catches he took.
Ebadot Hossain, on debut, picked up
3 wickets in his initial burst but was taken the distance in his last two overs as he went for 51 runs in 4 overs
22 and 17 came off his 3rd and 4th overs respectively. A wicket apiece for Mahedi Hasan, and Mustafizur Rahman. Too many extras given by Bangladesh today in the field.
A total of 17 extras which included 8 wides and 4 no-balls. This really cost them big time. Earlier in the game, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to
bowl first. Bangladesh had a new opening combination in play with Mehidy Hasan
Miraz and Sabbir Rahman opening for them. Sabbir went early for 5. Mehidy made
the powerplay count as he contributed with 38 off 26 balls. Skipper Shakib al Hasan
contributed 24 before being bowled out by Maheesh Theekshana. Afif Hossain contributed
with a valuable 39 off 22 balls. Mahmudullah chipped in with 27 off 22 balls.
Crucial contributions from Mosaddek Hossain (24 off9), and Taskin Ahmed (11 off
6) along with 10 extras propelled Bangladesh to 183-7 in 20 overs.
The Lankan bowlers bowled well in patches. A couple of
wicket apiece for Chamika Karunaratne (2-32 in 4), and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-42
in 4). Hasaranga went the distance today for a change. A wicket apiece for
Dilshan Madhushanka, and Maheesh Theekshana as they kept things tight here.
Asitha Fernando, the debutant got a wicket but went for 51 runs in his 4 overs.
So, Sri Lanka wins this game by 2 wickets in the final over as they make the Super 4s and they will be a relieved lot now. Stick around for the post-match presentation that comes your way soon.