203/8 (20.0)
CR : 10.15
206/3 (20.0)
CR : 10.30
Sri Lanka won by 3 runs π
Player of the Match
C Asalanka
44(21)
SL won by 3 runs
21:20 IST and 21:50 Local Time | That's it. Sri Lanka seal a narrow 3-run victory. Full marks to Dasun Shanaka for displaying nerves of steel. Great effort by Jaker Ali, but unfortunately, he couldn't help his team cross the finish line. Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Chasing a target of 207, Bangladesh were off to a poor start as they lost three wickets in the powerplay. Mahmudullah then batted with intent and smashed boundaries consistently. Jaker Ali, initially, supported Mahmudullah (54) and stepped up to the plate once the latter was back in the hut. Jaker took full advantage of Sri Lankaβs poor bowling and, in the process, hit a half-century. With 12 required off the final 6 balls, all eyes were on Jaker who fell to Shanaka as the Sri Lankan stayed calm and guided his team to a thrilling victory.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, an amazing performance by Sri Lanka helped them post 200-plus. The returning Avishka Fernando fell to Shoriful Islam in the opening over of the match itself. Kamindu Mendis then was off to a quick start, but was removed by Taskin Ahmed. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama then combined and hammered boundaries regularly. Kusal and Samarawickrama both smacked fifties. Charith Asalanka, the stand-in Sri Lanka skipper, later played a cameo to take his team to a commanding total.
Chasing a target of 207, Bangladesh were off to a poor start as they lost three wickets in the powerplay. Mahmudullah then batted with intent and smashed boundaries consistently. Jaker Ali, initially, supported Mahmudullah (54) and stepped up to the plate once the latter was back in the hut. Jaker took full advantage of Sri Lankaβs poor bowling and, in the process, hit a half-century. With 12 required off the final 6 balls, all eyes were on Jaker who fell to Shanaka as the Sri Lankan stayed calm and guided his team to a thrilling victory.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, an amazing performance by Sri Lanka helped them post 200-plus. The returning Avishka Fernando fell to Shoriful Islam in the opening over of the match itself. Kamindu Mendis then was off to a quick start, but was removed by Taskin Ahmed. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama then combined and hammered boundaries regularly. Kusal and Samarawickrama both smacked fifties. Charith Asalanka, the stand-in Sri Lanka skipper, later played a cameo to take his team to a commanding total.
Most balls bowled in an over in T20I:
T Jamtsho: 14, Bhutan v Maldives, 2019
C Kyewuta: 12, Namibia v Uganda, 2021
M Adair: 11, Australia v Ireland, 2022
M Pathirana: 11, BAN v SL, 2024, (Over No. 11)
M Pathirana: 11, BAN v SL, 2024, (Over No. 17)
Time for the post-match presentation...
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh Skipper): "The boys showed a lot of character. Proud of their effort. We began well in the first innings, but couldn't execute the plans in the death overs. Mahmudullah was magnificent, and so was Jaker (Ali). I hope they continue their good form."
Player of the Match: Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Skipper and Player of the Match): "Yeah, I am really pleased with my performance and I think everyone contributed and did well. The boundaries are short, a lot of dew around and we have to give the bowlers a chance as well. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera's partnership set the stage for me to play freely."
That's it. Thank you for joining us! On behalf of my co-commentator Deepak and scorer Dushyant, I, Sidharth, say goodbye! Cheers!