BSP-24 Tigers humbled by Sri Lanka to concede ODI series

869

ZCZC

BSP-24

CRICKET-BD-SL-2ND-MATCH

Tigers humbled by Sri Lanka to concede ODI series

DHAKA, July 28, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh dug their own graveyards by putting up a wretched performance in all departments to concede a seven-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in second ODI and thereby lost the three-match ODI series with a match to go at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

In what turned out to be their must-win game, following a 91-run drubbing in first match, Bangladesh crumbled around Mushfiqur Rahim’s valiant 98 not out to be restricted to mediocre 238-8.

In a pitch that held no demons, Sri Lanka batted with much serenity to overhaul the target in 44.4 overs, making 244-3.

Opener Avishka Fernando gave the early impetus, smashing a 77 ball-82 with nine fours and two sixes. Angelo Mathews hit a mid-wicket boundary to confirm victory and his 29th half-century.

He was unbeaten on 52 while Kusal Mendis was on 41 to take the side home, building on the start of Fernando.

Mushfiqur Rahim stood tall to guide Bangladesh single-handedly and gave the bowlers something to defend.

With the side reeling to 31-2 in ninth over Mushfiqur Rahim came to bat and stayed till the last over to score 98 off 110, clubbing six fours and one six. He also scored highest 67 in the first ODI.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 43 to come as a handy support for Mushfiqur. No other batsmen however crossed even 20.

Bangladeshi batsmen rather threw away their start, playing some dubious shot after Tamim Iqbal opted to bat first.

After a decent start, Soumya Sarkar (11) was trapped leg-before by a full toss delivery from Nuwan Pradeep while Tamim Iqbal (19) was undone by a short delivery from Isuru Udana.

Expectation was high on Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah in the crucial game when Mushfiqur Rahim held together the innings with utmost confidence.

But both of them put yet another disappointing performance. Mithun was out on 12, following his 10 in first match and Mahmudullah who scored 3 in previous match was dismissed for 6.

Mushfiqur meantime became third Bangladeshi batsmen after Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan to bring up 6,000 runs when on 8, after pushing a Dananjaya delivery to square leg.

Fresh from his 60 in the first match, Sabbir Rahman was run-out on 11, following a mix-up with Mushfiqur, leaving Bangladesh 88-6.

Mosaddek Hossain kept up his poor form being out on 13, with Bangladesh at 117-6.

Young Mehidy put up a batting display that could make top order batsmen ashamed. He and Mushfiqur combined for an 84-run for the seventh wicket partnership, taking Bangladesh past 200.

Mushfiqur brought up his 38th half-century off 71 balls with a cut past point for a single of Dhananjaya de Silva.

Nuwan Pradeed got the better of Mehidy with a leg-cutter but Mushfiqur came up with free flowing batting in the last five overs.

Still he missed out a ton what he really deserved after Nuwan Pradeep showed an intriguing display of yorkers in the last over.

It was a below par target by any means. Opener Avishka Fernando batted with aggression and cautions to make the target even smaller.

Fernando dominated in 71-run opening partnership with captain Dimuth Karunaratne who made 15.

They were aided by Bangladeshi bowlers’ wayward bowling and miserable ground fielding.

Anamul Haque replaced Mushfiqur as wicket-keeper in Sri Lanka’s chase as the batting in scorching heat took a toll on his body.

Mehidy broke through with the wicket of Karunaratne and Mustafizur who once again leaked runs in abundance in his first spell, came back with double delight in his second spell.

He removed Fernando with his stock weapon slower cutter and then dismissed first match’s centurion Kusal Perera for 30 as Sri Lanka lost two wickets for 17 runs to be reduced to 146-3.

But Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews put up a 96-run partnership in an undefeated fourth wicket to take the side home without further hiccup.

Mustafizur Rahman snapped up 2-50 and Mehidy Miraz finished with 1

The third and final ODI is on Wednesday at the same venue.

BSS/SMP/MRU/2237hrs