NEW DELHI:
Dasun Shanaka
displayed composure under pressure, claiming two wickets in the final over to secure a dramatic three-run victory for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in a thrilling opening Twenty20 international of a three-match series in Sylhet on Monday.
Chasing a target of 207 runs, lower middle-order batsman
Jaker Ali
propelled Bangladesh close with his maiden fifty, but Shanaka terminated his 34-ball innings of 68 with the third ball of the last over.
Following a boundary by
Shoriful Islam
from the next ball, Bangladesh needed six runs from their last two deliveries.
However, the hosts managed only two runs, finishing at 203-8. Shanaka, who also dismissed Rishad Hossain in the first ball of the final over, concluded with figures of 2-36.
Former captain
Angelo Mathews
made an impact by claiming 2-17 to create early setbacks for the Bangladesh innings. Following this, veteran Mahmudullah Riyad played a crucial role, striking 54 off 31 balls to revive the hopes of the home side.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and
Kusal Mendis
earlier slammed a fifty each to guide Sri Lanka to 206-3 after Bangladesh sent them in.
Samarawickrama struck an unbeaten 61 off 48 balls after Mendis hit 59 off 36 balls as the visitors overcame a slow start to put up an imposing total.
Stand-in skipper Charith Asalanka played his part with an unbeaten 44 from 21 balls.
Mendis and Samarawickrama shared 96 runs for the third wicket after Sri Lanka lost their first two wickets for 37 runs.
Shoriful removed Avishka Fernando for four with the second ball of the innings before Taskin Ahmed had
Kamindu Mendis
caught by Soumya Sarkar at midwicket for 19.
Mendis hit leg-spinner Rishad for a four and two sixes off consecutive balls to race to his fifty off 27 balls.
Rishad returned for his next spell to exact revenge as Mahmudullah took a well-judged catch at long off boundary to end the innings of Mendis.
Asalanka joined Samarawickrama to continue the assault, adding 73 for the unbroken fourth wicket, including 24 runs from the last over of the innings bowled by Mustafizur Rahman.
The series marks the start of Sri Lanka's month-long tour of Bangladesh, which also includes three one-day internationals and two Tests.
(With inputs from AFP)
English (US) ·