Bangladesh leads the ODI series as Shanto-Mushfiq made a record partnership
Those who went to the ‘Khatame Taraweeh’ prayer tonight, while heading towards home might have thought that Sri Lankan Lions have already earned the victory with ease. At least that’s what this correspondent confronted just a while ago. But, Bangladesh made it against all the odds although the same side lost their first man in the very first delivery. Moreover, by the time the Tigers reached 20, they had lost 3 batters – Liton, Soumya and Tawhid.
However, the ‘Silent Killer’ Mahmudullah Riyad gave the skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto vital support in the 4th wicket partnership. The 69-run partnership broke when Mahmudullah gave Dilshan Madhushanka a tough catch while facing Lahiru Kumara. Meanwhile, Mushfiq came and built another solid unbeaten partnership in the 5th wicket. Shanto kept scoring and ended up getting his 3rd ODI hundred and amending his career-best score from 117 to 122 not out. Mushfiq also fought well and scored 73 off 84 balls. These two batters accumulated a total of 165 runs off 175 balls before chasing the target of 256 with 6 wickets and 32 balls to spare.
Before that, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. Unlike, Bangladeshi openers, the Lankan openers started well. Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando added 71 runs off 9.1 overs to the scoreboard before Tanzim Hasan Sakib got rid of Avishka. In the first ball of his next over, he also sends Nissanka back as well. Experienced man Kusal Mendis contributed to his side with his 28th ODI fifty before getting out at individual 59 runs. However, thanks to three aces of Bangladeshi pace unit – Tanzim, Shariful and Taskin, Sri Lankan middle and lower order failed to reach a big total. Moreover, all three pacers mentioned above took 3 wickets each while Miraz was the only spinner to get a wicket.
On the other hand, a comparatively new face in the Lankan team – Janith Liyanage fought well. He scored the highest runs from his side in this match. The 67 off 69 innings also helped him to get the 2nd ODI fifty while playing for his motherland. The young man also participated in a 69-run partnership with Kusal Mendis in the 5th wicket, but after Kusal’s dismissal, other batters failed to give him good company.
Both of the teams will face each other on the day after tomorrow at the same venue for the 2nd ODI.
