Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka Played at SBNCS, Dhaka Bangladesh.
Bangladesh: 320/7 (Tamim 84, Shakib 67, Mushfiq 62, Anamul 35, Mahmudullah 24, Sabbir 24*, Perrera 3/60, Fernando 2/66)
Sri Lanka: 157 All Out (Perrera 29, Chandimal 28, Shakib 3/47, Rubel 2/20, Mashrafe 2/30)
Bangladesh won by 163 Runs
An awe-inspiring clinical performance of Team Tigers swept away resources hamstrung Lankan Lions in Rocket Tri Nation ODI series in SBNCS yesterday. Srilanka lost by a huge margin of 163 runs the biggest win of Bangladesh in the bilateral contest. The biggest ODI of Bangladesh ever. Bangladesh got back to win with bonus points.
Former Bangladesh head coach Hathurusingha is now in charge of Team Sri Lanka. It was the second defeat in as many matches of Hathurusingha masterminded Lankans. It was also the second large win of team tigers in as many matches. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka proved no match for the tweeting tigers. Majestic Mashrafe led Bangladesh has established the superiority over the contestants.
In such great form and fitness there are no reasons why Bangladesh cannot win the tri nation tournament comfortably. Batting, bowling and fielding – in all departments Bangladesh performed admirably well. Few persons observed that Bangladeshi cricketers also proved that they have got over to a great extent the horror of recent performance in South Africa series. They have also settled score with their former coach and mentor.
All five seniors Mashrafe, Tamim , Shakib , Mushfiq and Mahmudullah demonstrated brilliantly their class and quality. Nasir, Sabbir, Rubel and Mustafiz playing stress free cricket proved yet again that in Bangladesh the home team is almost impregnable in the limited format of the game.
Being second time lucky with the coin Mashrafe elected to bat. Starting cautiously Tamim and Bijoy were found on song. Especially Anamul Bijoy appeared to have got over from his nerves of starting it all over again after being overlooked for a long time. Tamim was in his true elements looking supremely confident .They complemented each other. However, Bijoy fell to a short sharp rising delivery of Perera scoring 35 when the partnership just started looking ominous at 71.
Shakib joined Tamim and the two trusted ambassadors of Bangladesh cricket started harassing toothless Lankan attack. Runs were coming thick and fast much to the joy of the swelling holiday crowd. For the second match in succession Tamim scored 84 runs. Against Zimbabwe Tamim remained unbeaten as his team was required overhauling a moderate Zimbabwean target. But yesterday he fell to a tired stroke which he unsuccessfully challenged.
Mushfiq joined Shakib and two senior pros kept the wheel of the run machines going. Both played eye catching strokes matching strokes for strokes. Hathura charges looked helpless. Shakib left scoring 67 and Mushfiq scored 62 before getting out. Mahmudullah was also looking good. But unlike his three senior partners he could not convert his good start to another big innings. On the day however, Sabbir, Saifuddin, Nasir and Mashrafe also had opportunity for batting. Bangladesh scored a very impressive 320/ 7 in allotted overs.
We all knew the challenges of overhauling such a huge score by the present Lankan team against a very potent Bangladesh attack. Mashrafe this time let Nasir launch the attack from one end and himself lead from the front from the other. After teasing both the left arm openers Nasir struck early in his second over.
Mashrafe with his immaculate length and line kept Lankans teasing. Wonder how the limping tiger continuously nursing his bruised and battered legs can keep going so smoothly. He took two wickets and was looking great as ever. Rubel and Mustafiz also played great spells. Shakib came a bit late in the attack or Mashrafe preserved him till he himself finished his spell of 8 tight probing overs from his end. Shakib flighted his deliveries teasing and tormenting the batsmen. The combination of seaming and swinging Mustafiz and very deceptive Shakib created huge pressure on Lankan batting. Shakib took two in two and was on a hat-trick. Mustafiz let the stumps flying with lovely cleverly concealed slow cutters.
Sri Lankans lost their way. Losing wickets at regular interval they got bundled out for 157. Sri Lanka lost 19 of the last 20 matches. Retirement of two maestros Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene appears to have left huge issues in the regrouping of the team. Hathurusingha overlooked Lasith Malinga for the tour. On the day captain Angela Mathhews also could not play for injury.
Bangladesh is looking great. All players are looking in good touch. Batsmen getting runs, bowlers are on song. Mashrafe never changes, Mustafiz appears confident, Shakib is brilliant as always, Rubel is bowling fast and furious and even Saifuddin looked in good form. Bangladesh not winning the trophy from here would be a great surprise. It was almost a perfect Bangladesh win with very little improvement expected.
On the other hand over rated Hathurasingha must be realizing that he does not possess a midas touch of turning anything to gold. He has great challenge at hand in rebuilding his team struggling to find its feet in world cricket. Bangladesh was a settled unit when he took over and left a confused team seemingly bewildered after South Africa tour.
Team Tigers have proved a few wrong that departure of Hathurasingha almost unnoticed harmed the team. Rather every player playing stress free quality cricket has brought Bangladesh back on track.
On January 19 in 2011, Bangladesh Cricket admirers were shocked witnessing their idol Mashrafe walking out with tears in his eyes. He was overlooked in team selection from the ICC World cup played at home in the excuse of fitness. He really put in great efforts for recovering from injury and was fit enough to play. Yesterday he marshaled his team so well himself leading from the front. Wonder time and circumstances changes.
BDST: 1035 HRS, JAN 20, 2018
SI
