An all-round performance again came from Shakib Al Hasan saw Bangladesh to register their second successive victory in the Rocket triangular series when they dumped Sri Lanka by 163-run in their second match held on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
Chasing a massive winning target of 321-run set by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka suffered early batting jolt losing wickets in regular intervals and eventually they were dismissed at a paltry total of 157 in 32.2 overs.
Thanks to Shakib Al Hasan for his all-round show as rode on his all-round performance Bangladesh able to notch their biggest margin of ODI victory also with bonus point.
Nasir Hossain provided an early breakthrough to Bangladesh as he bowled opener Kusal Perera in the first ball of the third over. Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza then send back to other opener Upal Tharanga, who gave an easy catch Mahmudullah. Tharanga scored 25 runs off 35 balls laced with three boundaries.
Mortaza then send back to Kusal Mendis (19) while Mustafizur dismissed Niroshan Dickwella (16), leaving Sri Lanka in a deep trouble.
Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal (28) failed to take up the responsibility as he fall victim of run out off a direct throw by Shakib Al Hasan.
Shakib, the hero of the first match against Zimbabwe, afterward joined the party taking three quick wickets of Thisara Perera (29) Asela Gunaratne (16) and Wanidu Hasaranga (0) while pacer Rubel Hossain folded Sri Lankan innings taking the remaining two wickets of Akila Dananjaya (14) and Suranga Lakmal (1).
Sri Lanka hardly at any position to fight back and failed to recover from their early batting collapse in the face of tight bowling display by the Tigers’ bowlers.
Shakib Al Hasan, the wrecker-in-chief, caused the major damage for Sri Lanka as he grabbed three wickets conceding 47 runs in 7 overs. He was well supported by Rubel Hossain and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza who both shared two wickets each giving away 20 and 30 runs respectively.
Shakib Al Hasan was named the player of the match for his impressive all-round performance.
After the match Shakib said: “With that everyone contributed. Tamim played the way he has been playing for two or three years. Mushfiq played well and other chipped in. I thought we bowled really well – and it was a better performance from the last game. Everyday you need to improve and there is healthy competition in the team, and you can’t relax. Three more matches to come, and hopefully, we can keep going. We need to do a lot of things right. In five days, we have to play three games, but playing at home in Mirpur is an advantage.”
Earlier, southpaw opener Tamim Iqbal continued his prolific form followed by two brilliant centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim as Bangladesh scored a daunting total of 320 for 7 from their allotted 50 overs against Sri Lanka, after they opted to bat first.
The two Tigers’ openers -Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque – proved their captain’s decision to bat right as they shared 71 runs for the opening stand before Thisara Perera brought the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka removing Anamul for 35 runs.
Shakib Al Hasan then joined with Tamim to accelerate the run rate. The duo snatched the momentum from Sri Lankan bowlers with a solid 99-run second wicket stand before Akila Dananjaya broke the partnership int he crucial stage removing Tami Iqbal.
The dashing opener, who scored 84 runs against Zimbabwe in Bangladesh’s first match, today also scored the same identical margin before giving a back catch to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella. He smashed seven delightful boundaries and two over boundaries during his 1-2-ball stay on the crease.
Shakib kept punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers all square of the park and shared 57-run third wicket stand with Mushfiqur Rahim. The Ace all-rounder hammered 63-ball ff 67-run in an innings that studded with seven boundaries before he gave a return catch to Asela Gunaratne.
Nuwan Pradeep brought Sri Lanka in the match dismissing Mahmudullah, who cracked 23-ball off 24 smacking two boundaries and one over boundaries.
Wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim backed to the dressing room in the next over being a clean bowled by Thisara Perera. The diminutive batsman blasted 52- ball off 62-run that contained four boundaries and one over boundary to take the team score near three hundred runs landmark.
Later Sabbir Rahman played a hurricane knock of 12-ball off 24 runs helped Bangladesh to post a challenging total of 320 for 7 from their allotted 50 overs. The 22-year old right handed batsman entertained the crowds in the big bowl with his unbeaten brief breezy knock that studded with three boundaries and one over boundary.
Thisara Perera was the most successful bowler as he grabbed three Bangladesh’s wickets conceding 60 runs. He was well supported by Nuwan Pradeep who bagged two wickets giving away 66 runs.
Sri Lanka will again meet with Zimbabwe in their crucial must-win third match scheduled to be held on Sunday at the same venue.
