Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets #T20WorldCup. Bangladesh is on the board in the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup, holding their nerve to edge out Sri Lanka in Dallas.
They made tough work of it, chasing down a target of 125, arriving at the finish line with six balls to spare and two wickets in hand.
A career-best haul from young spinner Rishad Hossain, who picked up the Player of the Match award, helped Bangladesh restrict Sri Lanka to 124/9.
Rishad collected figures of 3/22 and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed (2/25) chipped in with a pair of wickets as Bangladesh did well to keep their Asian rivals in check.
Pathum Nissanka (47) provided Sri Lanka with a decent start, but a disciplined bowling performance from Bangladesh ensured there were wickets at regular intervals and the score did not get out of hand.
Rishad, in particular, was impressive for Bangladesh, with the right-armer picking up the key wickets of Charith Asalanka (19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (0) in consecutive deliveries to help change the momentum for his side.
Angelo Mathews (16) threatened to hit out late, but Bangladesh will be happy to have restricted the island nation to a below-par score.
The run chase began in dramatic fashion, losing two wickets in as many overs. Bangladesh suddenly had a fight on its hands when falling to 28/3 in the sixth over.
Towhid Hridoy (40 off 20) and Litton Das (36 off 38) went about doing the heavy lifting, compiling a 63-run stand for the fourth wicket, before Sri Lanka started arresting back momentum.
Nuwan Thushara, 4/18 off four overs, made sure it would spiral into a nail-biter. Spectators held their collective breath with two overs to go – Bangladesh still needed 11 runs for the win and only two wickets up their sleeve.
But when a full toss was dispatched for six to the leg side, off the middle of Mahmudullah’s bat, Bangladesh fans were breathing a fraction easier.
Mahmudullah’s 16 off 13 balls, along with Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s presence (1* off 4), made sure Bangladesh held on for the nation’s first win at the event – claiming a two-wicket victory.
Sri Lanka’s stranded at the bottom of Group D, having now lost both encounters. They’ll have a chance to correct course on June 11 against Nepal.
