Touring Sri Lanka made a good start in the three-match ODI series beating hosts Bangladesh by 13 runs in a low scoring first ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday
Replying to Sri Lanka’s face-saving 180 runs for all in 40 overs, the Bengal Tigers suffered another frustrating defeat after two-match T20 series as they were dismissed for 167 runs in 39.2 overs, despite making 114 runs for two.
Chasing a small target of 181 runs in reduced 43 overs, Bangladesh conceded an early blow losing the opening batsman Anamul Haque for duck in the very 2nd ball of the innings by Lasith Malinga.
Another opener Shamsur Rahman pairing with one down Mominul Haque established a good foundation of Bangladesh innings contributing 79 runs in 14.2 overs in the 2nd wicket stand.
Mominul Haque made 53-ball 44 runs featuring seven boundaries before he was caught by Tillakratne Dilshan off a Thisara Perera delivery.
Shamsur Rahman quick-fired 49 balls 62 runs with five fours and three sixes before he was victim of a controversial run out decision with scoreboard showing 114 for 3 in 19.4 overs.
Bangladesh lost their next four wickets– Shakib Al Hasan (3), Nasir Hossain (8), Mahmudullah (0) and Sohag Gazi (6) – for 28 runs in 12 overs.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim fought bravely for their existence from one end, but his patient innings came to an end for irresponsible batting in a crucial situation, leaving the team total to 162 for 9 in 37.1 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim was caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara off a Angelo Mathews delivery making 27 runs off 50 balls including one six.
Three lower order batsmen — Arafat Sunny (5), pacer Rubel Hossain (4) and Al Amin Hossain (not out 2) — were the other contributors for Bangladesh.
Captain Anjelo Mathews was the most successful among the Lankan bowlers grabbing three wickets for 21 runs in 7.2 overs while Sachithra Senanayake took two wickets for 33 runs.
Earlier, a scintillating batting by lower order Thisara Perera saved Sri Lanka from an awkward situation to score a face-saving 180 losing all wickets in 40 overs denying early strikes by Bangladeshi bowlers
Bangladesh won the toss in the day’s match that started after a delay of about 105 minutes due to rain, and sent the Sri Lanka to bat first in a curtailed 43-over a side match in rain-soaked ground.
The Bengal Tigers took its fruit immediately as their bowlers put pressure on Sri Lankan batsmen grabbing top eight wickets for 67 runs 21.3 overs.
But number nine batsman Thisara Perera paring with number 10 Sachithra Senanayake carried the team total in a respectable position contributing 82 runs in the 9th wicket stand after they got life for several times, dropped by Shohag Gazi, Mahmudullah, Shaki Al Hasan and Nasir Hossain.
Thisara Perera also added another useful 31 runs in the last wicket stand with Lasith Malinga to guide Sri Lanka’s total to 180 runs.
Number 10 batsman Sachithra Senanayake contributed a patient 48-ball 30 runs in a crucial situation hitting two fours and one six before he was bowled by spinner Shakib Al Hasan, leaving the team total to 149 for 9 in 35.3 overs.
Number nine Thisara Perera quick-fired an unconquered 80 runs off 57 balls with four fours and six sixes and grabbed one wicket for 35 runs to be adjudged man of the match.
Besides, opener Kusal Perera (20) and Dinesh Chandimal (13) were the other Lankan batsmen reaching double figures while another 10 runs of the innings came from extras.
Pacer Rubel Hossain made the early breakthrough in the Lankan innings dismissing two openers -Tillakaratne Dilshan (3) and Kusal Perera (20) –with scoreboard showing 28 runs for 2 in just 5.1 overs.
World famed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, debutant Arafat Sunny and pacer Rubel Hossain claimed two wickets each conceding 29, 31 and 37 runs respectively.
Another debutant, pacer Al-Amin Hossain, grabbed his first ODI wicket dismissing Kumar Sangakkara (8) in his eight over spell conceding 34 runs while spinner Shohag Gazi also took one wicket conceding 22 runs.
In the remaining two ODI matches, Bangladesh will play Sri Lanka on February 20 and 22 at the same venue.
Source: UNBConnect
