Alesha Mart Bangladesh VS Sri Lanka ODI Series 
1st Match Played on 23 May 2021 at SBNCS, Meerpur Dhaka 
Brief Scorecard  
Bangladesh 257/6 (Mushfiqur Rahim 84, Mahmudullah Riad 54, Tamim Iqbal 52, Afiff Hossain 27*, Dhananjaya de Silva 3/45)       
Sri Lanka 224 All Out in 48.1 Over (Wanindu Hashranga 74, Kushal Perera 30, Kushal Mendis 24, Mehedi Miraj 4/30, Mustafizur Rahman 3/34, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/ 49)
Bangladesh Won by 33 Runs
Player of The Match: Mushfiqur Rahim.

Brilliant All Round Bangladesh playing fitting cricket to the character of the wicket won the first of the three matches ODI series comfortably by 33 runs. It will be unjust not also praising the performance of the new look Sri Lanka. With their limited resources they also set up challenges at different stages of the match. 

Bangladesh batting first on a hot humid day after winning the toss encountered a fighting Lankan bowling attack on a gripping surface. After initial hiccup a solid enterprising partnership of two M’s little master Mushfiquur Rahim (84) and Silent Killer Mahmudullah Riad (54) Bangladesh posted a challenging 257/6 in allotted overs. Brilliant bowling by Mehedy Miraj (4/30). Mustafizur Rahman (3/34) and Mohammad Saifuddin (2/49) earned Bangladesh a comfortable win. With mega cyclone and thunderstorm threatening other matches this win may ultimately decide the series who knows. 

Liton was perished on the very second over to Chameera bowling fast. He poked to a ball pitched in the corridor and leaving him. Lankan bowlers made life difficult from Champion batsmen Tamim and Shakib. Tamim somehow survived but Shakib looking rusty fell to Gunatilka trying to force him desperately for 15. Tamim and Mushfique did the initial resurrection act. Mushfique was looking solid but Tamim struggled. After scoring another half century when he tried to unleash got out LBW to Dhananjaya for 52. The sad saga of Mithun continued getting out to a first all duck. At 99/4 Bangladesh innings looked in disarray. But prolific Mushfique and Mahmudullah playing true to their reputations salvaged the rocking boat. The wicket was gripping and turning. Lankans were bowling and fielding exceedingly well. Two M’s using all their experience compiled runs most in singles and doubles. They have on number of occasions in the first did such act but yesterday was another special. Had not them been played restrained well-composed 109 runs partnership Bangladesh innings could be disintegrated. Mushfique was so precise that it was after reaching 84 he tried his first reverse sweep and got out. But by then the team was reasonably safe at 208 in the 44th over. Mahmudullah also could not last long. Trying to force the pace he also fell scoring 54. However young Afif (27*) and Saifuddin (13*) with some hefty blows took the score to 257/6 enough for defending on a tricky surface. 

The wicket got slower and turning. Tamim did well letting Meraj operate with the new ball. Taking off the pace was the key was the way to go. Taskin trying to ball fast was spanked in all his spells. But Meraj (4/30) bowling tight, Mustafiz (3/34) and Saifuddin (2/49) varying the pace reaped rich rewards. The visitors were decimated to 7/149 by the 35th over. A desperate explosive 74 by all rounder Hasaranga and 62 runs 8th wicket partnership created some excitement. But it was too little to late. The fate of the match was already sealed. Bangladesh won big by 33 runs. But new look Sri Lanka competed admirably. 

Bangladesh looks far stronger and more purposeful. But team management perhaps did not do justice to Imrul Kayes taking him in initial squad and pruning him. He could be ideal choice at top order. Why not Naim Sheikh given opportunity in the second match? 

BDST: 1206 HRS, MAY 24, 2021
SMS