The T20 World Cup witnessed another heart-stopping encounter as Bangladesh edged past Sri Lanka by two wickets in a dramatic finish at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Friday. The match was a classic display of T20 cricket, with momentum swinging like a pendulum and keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
Sri Lanka Falter Early, Bangladesh Take Control
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to field first. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain ran riot through the Sri Lankan batting order. Pathum Nissanka (47) was the lone warrior for Sri Lanka, as the rest of the batsmen succumbed to the disciplined bowling attack. Mustafizur and Hossain picked up three wickets each, restricting Sri Lanka to a meagre total of 124 runs.
Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh got off to a shaky start, losing their openers Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan cheaply. However, the experienced Litton Das (36) and the aggressive Towhid Hridoy (40) steadied the ship with a crucial 63-run partnership. Their partnership shifted the momentum in Bangladesh’s favor, taking them to a comfortable position at 91/4.
Hasaranga Fights Back, Bangladesh Face Nervous Moments
Just when it seemed like Bangladesh would cruise to victory, Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasaranga produced a magical spell. He dismissed both Das and Hridoy in quick succession, reigniting Sri Lanka’s hopes of an improbable comeback. The dismissal of the well-set batsmen brought Bangladesh back under pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara chipped in with crucial wickets, leaving Bangladesh needing 11 runs off the final two overs.
The equation became even tighter when Bangladesh lost another wicket in the 19th over. With 11 runs required off the final over, Dasun Shanaka was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the penultimate over. Bangladesh’s experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah held his nerve, smashing a six off the first ball to bring the equation down to a manageable five runs needed from the last over. He then sealed the victory for Bangladesh with a boundary off the final delivery, sparking jubilation in the Bangladesh camp.
This thrilling encounter showcased the beauty of T20 cricket. Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain’s brilliant bowling spells set the tone for Bangladesh’s victory. However, credit must also be given to Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Wanindu Hasaranga, who brought them back into the contest with his timely wickets. Ultimately, Bangladesh’s batting depth and Mahmudullah’s last-ball heroics proved to be the difference between the two sides.
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