Bangladesh out of Asia Cup after agonising defeat

Sri Lanka eventually had the last laugh as Bangladesh’s Mahedi conceded a boundary and bowled a no-ball.

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Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando (R) and Maheesh Theekshana celebrate their win during the Asia Cup Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on September 1, 2022. Photo: AFP

September 2, 2022

DHAKA – Ultimately the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka fixture lived up to its expectations, with the game going down to the wire and becoming an Asia Cup classic.

Despite having tallied 183 and removing four Lankan batters under 80 runs, the fifth-wicket stand between Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka was taking the game away from the Tigers.

In the end, Bangladesh lost by 2 wickets as Sri Lanka, who were made to chase 184, reached their destination in 19.2 overs.

It was a total team-effort from the Tigers in all departments. However, it was pacer Ebadot Hossain who had caused the most significant impact in the match by picking up two wickets in his first T20I over, the innings’ sixth, just when the Sri Lanka openers had gained momentum in their chase. Ebadot went on to dismiss the third Lankan batter as well with some fine display of short-pitched bowling.

The Tigers were intent to pile up pressure from then on but Mendis’ 37-ball 60 and Shanaka’s 33-ball 45 made sure the asking-rate was around 10 and after the duo got out, the game went till the last over off Mahedi Hasan, with Sri Lanka requiring 8 with two wickets in hand.

Sri Lanka had the last laugh eventually as Mahedi conceded a boundary and bowled a no-ball. Chamika Karunaratne and Asitha Fernando remained unbeaten with cameos of 10-ball 16 and 3-ball 10, respectively.

Taskin, who was outstanding in the field, scalped two wickets while Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan Miraz picked one apiece.

Bangladesh bowled eight wide balls and four no balls while the Lankans bowled none.

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