Hridoy's fighting unbeaten 96 in the first innings gave Bangladesh a total that looked solid at the halfway stage
Sri Lanka 287 for 7 (Nissanka 114, Asalanka 91, Shoriful 2-49, Taskin 2-49) beat Bangladesh 286 for 7 (Hridoy 96*, Sarkar 68, Hasaranga 4-45) by three wickets
Bangladesh fought to the end but the 185-run fourth-wicket partnership forged by Pathum Nissanka (114) and Charith Asalanka (91) proved enough in Chattogram, as Sri Lanka secured a narrow three-wicket win to level the series 1-1.
Bangladesh's strong performance led to a close game, but Sri Lanka's indecision and doubt contributed to their eventual victory. Despite a three-wicket margin, Sri Lanka had a slight loss when they fell from 228 for 3 to 251 for 6. The last recognized pair, Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga, needed 36 off 53. Bangladesh's exceptional ground fielding and their reluctance to take risks reduced the equation to 20 off 26.
But any lingering nerves were settled when Hasaranga finally took matters into his own hands to strike two sixes and a four in the space of five deliveries to kill the game. He fell with just two left to get, leaving Wellalage to secure the winning runs.
Set a target of 287, Sri Lanka had fallen to 43 for 3 when Nissanka and Asalanka came together, and following an early period of fortune where some edges and mis-hits ended up safe, they set about their work.
Bangladesh maintained a strong stand, with Nissanka ending on a 113-ball 114 and Asalanka's 91 coming in 93 balls. Despite their dismissals within eight deliveries of each other, they had done enough to win the match. The Bangladesh fighting spirit was evident in both the evening and the afternoon, with Towhid Hridoy's slow-burn innings and late onslaught allowing them to recover after Sri Lanka had set them on course for a lower total than their final score.
Hridoy, who came into bat in the 13th over, ended unbeaten on 96 off 102, boosting an innings that looked in danger of losing steam. Taskin Ahmed and Taskin Ahmed contributed to Bangladesh's success, with them scoring 80 off the final ten overs, 54 of which came in the final five.
Bangladesh's Hasaranga and Dilshan Madushanka played crucial roles in the match, grabbing four wickets for 45 runs and completing a superb take in the deep to dismiss Sarkar. However, Madushanka walked off the field midway through his seventh over, clutching his left hamstring. Madushanka was key to Sri Lanka's early offence, removing Litton Das and Shanto, who had been reprieved twice.
Madushanka's incredible take with both hands in full flight led to Sarkar's dismissal, causing disbelief among the Bangladesh team. Mahmudullah's madness led to Mahmudullah being stumped miles out, causing Bangladesh to go from 130 for 2 to 130 for 4. Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim were then thrust into a sticky situation, but they excelled with their 57-ball stand of 43.
Hasaranga struck again, this time with a leg break on leg stump, resulting in an appeal. However, with umpire Masudur Rahman unmoved, Sri Lanka went for the review, which vindicated their excitement with three reds.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz a couple of overs later, proved an able and stubborn deputy, holding up one end as Hridoy kept the scoreboard ticking over. Hridoy and Taskin contributed the final flourish to take Bangladesh to a competitive total, but unfortunately, it was not enough for the home side.
#SLvBAN_02nd_ODI
Tags
SLvBAN_02nd_ODI