Asia Cup 2016; Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 28 February 2016
Bangladesh 147/7 (Sabbir Rahman 80, Shakib Al Hasan 32, Mahmudullah Riyad 23*, PVD Chameera 3/23) beat Sri Lanka 124/8 (LD Chandimal 37, DSNFG Jayasurya 26, Al-Amin Hossain 3/34, Shakib Al Hasan 2/24) by 23 Runs

DHAKA: A very competitive 23 runs victory of Bengal Tigers against Lankan Lions has kept the dreams alive for Bangladesh entering into the final of Asia Cup 2016.

Batting first after winning toss the home team ran into torrential rain of discomfort losing 2/2 before the home team admirers could hardly settle on the galleries. Both the openers returned without bothering the scorers.

Sabbir saw all from the other end. He immediately launched into vicious counter attack. But Mr. dependable Mushfiqur sent in to resurrect the innings also fell from misjudged single. Bangladesh was looking miserable at 26/3 in the 5th over.

Shakib joined Sabbir. The pair playing in completely contrasting style added 82 invaluable runs in 11 overs to turn the tide. Sabbir possibly played the innings of his lifetime and Shakib solidly assisted him. Their efforts and some late contributions from Mahmudullah carried Bangladesh to somewhat comfortable score of 147/7.

That, however, proved enough on a lively wicket where quality pacers had some purchase. All Bangladesh bowlers bowled according to plan creating enormous pressure on Sri Lankan batting.

Al-Amin swung the ball prodigiously, Mustafiz and Mashrafe bowled miserly well. Shakib achieved his usual quota of wickets. Bangladesh squeezed Sri Lanka for 124/8 before their quota ran out.

Bangladesh achieved a very crucial win by 23 runs. Tigers will have to beat Pakistan to have a date with title aspirant India in the final. Nation has started hoping against hope. There is now more than an even chance of Bangladesh–India duel once again.

When Bangladesh winning the toss opted to bat there were wide belief that that lesser green wicket may have enough runs. But Angelo Matthews and Nuwan Kulasekara striking two early blows removing Mithun and Soumya pushed the home team on the back foot.

Brave Sabbir was undaunted. He unleashed a vicious counter punch. But unfortunately Mushfiqur sent in for retrieving the situation fell to his own folly. He tried to steal an impossible single and ran himself out. At 26/3 Bangladesh was in deep water. Sabbir and Shakib were there to carry Bangladesh on their able shoulders. Sabbir was at his brilliant aggressive best Shakib was still feeling for his golden touch.

Anyways, presence of Shakib at the other end kept Sabbir going. He unleashed his wide array of attacking stokes. With 10 fours and three towering sixes he scored 80 taking his team from uncertain state to reasonable safety.

Shakib was playing cautiously all the way. His 32 off 34 deliveries acted immensely in the team reaching a competitive score of 147/7. Mahmudullah coming to bat at number 6 contributed run a ball unbeaten 23. Rest of the batting line-up failed once again raising question why a proven late order finisher like Nasir is still being ignored.

Can Bangladesh have the luxury to keep its potential match winner warming the bench while others in his place continue to fail? Nasir Hossain must be included in the team without any second thought.

A total of 147 on a wicket where almost all the batting side continues to struggle proved way too much for the Sri Lankans.

They made reasonably good though Shakib removed Dilshan early. D Chandimal and S Jayasuriya adding 58 runs in the second wicket partnership kept the visitors on the hunt. But, Mahmudullah chipped in removing Chandimal and Shakib immediately after that removed Jayasuriya creating panic in the visitors’ camp.

Bangladesh got the sniff. Al-Amin, Mustafiz and Mashrafe took control. Bowling was accurate and penetrative, fielding was sharp and agile. From 3/78 in 11.2 overs visitors could manage to reach 124/8 in 20 adding only 46 runs in the last 8.4 overs. Al-Amin took 3/34, Shakib capped his return to batting form with 2/21. Mustafiz, Mashrafe and Mahmudullah got wicket a piece. Bangladesh won comfortably by 23 runs.

Bangladesh might have won back to back matches brightening prospects of going deep in the tournament but serious concerns remain with batting.

Top orders especially the openers are playing terribly poorly. Late middle order keeps collapsing. We cannot understand why a quality player of the caliber of Nasir Hossain is being ignored.

How experimenting with raw fresher is serving the team better than a proven quality? The think tank must brainstorm before the all-important match against Pakistan.

BDST: 0912 HRS, FEB 29, 2016
SR