Asia Cup: Sri Lanka pull off thrilling win over Bangladesh to make Super Four

Defeat stared them in the eye but Sri Lanka kept believing. After all, being the ‘hosts’ of the competition, the Emerald Island couldn’t face the ignominy of not being at their own tournament. And it seems, Lady Luck too smiled on them.

Sri Lanka held their nerves to pull off a thrilling win by the skin of their teeth — a two-wicket win over Bangladesh in their final Group B fixture, paving the way for them to qualify for the Super Four.

Chasing a stiff target of 184, Sri Lanka got home with four balls to spare. They take on Afghanistan, whom they had lost to in the tournament opener, in the Super Four at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Mendis leads batting effort

Opener Kusal Mendis led the batting effort for Sri Lanka with a top score of 60 from 37 deliveries which contained four boundaries and three sixes, while captain Dasun Shanaka made 45 from 33 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Medium pacer Ebadot Hossain picked three for 51, while Taskin Ahmed took two for 24.

"At the middle period, I thought it was tough. But when myself and Kusal (Mendis) were batting, I thought it was achievable,” a relieved Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said at the post-match presentation,

Shanaka and Mendis were involved in a crucial 54-run stand from 35 deliveries for the fifth wicket.

“I think the openers did a good job, we discussed that we needed that opening partnership for the start. That was the key and that's why we chased down this total. I thought of promoting myself, but from the team's point of view I have to sacrifice to come down and play as a finisher. My first priority is for the team. I think when Chamika was run out, we thought the game was gone. But Asitha Fernando scored those two shots very well, these guys have so much potential. It is lovely to see,” he added.

Laying the foundation

The openers Mendis and Pathum Nissanka came up with a 45-run opening partnership from 33 balls. Asitha Fernando, coming in at No.10, hit 10 not out from three balls with two fours, to see them through. Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana stole two runs off Mahedi Hasan to level the scores and the umpire then signalled a no-ball as Sri Lanka celebrated an unlikely win.

Death bowling costs Bangladesh

Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said that their bowling at the death cost them dearly.

“​​Death bowling is something we are looking to improve and that has cost us the game,” said Shakib.

“The last two overs they were eight down and needed to get 17-18 runs and they got home with a lot of balls to spare. That shows we aren't bowling well in the death, but credit to Sri Lanka for the way they batted. I think Dasun did very well. We wanted to pick wickets early, but the bowlers couldn't execute their plans and that's why the spinner bowled the last over,” he added.

Going for his shots

Mendis, who was named Player of the Match, said: “The first six overs, I went with my normal game and then the next four overs, I went with my shots. Today (Thursday) was my day. I got 60 runs and did the best for my team. I have had practice in Sri Lanka for the last six months to a year. Everyday I am learning and I know what the team wants from me.”

Good total

Earlier, Afif Hossain and opener Mehidy Hasan helped Bangladesh post 183-7.

Hossain scored 39 from 22 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, while Hasan made 38 from 26 deliveries that contained two boundaries and an equal number of sixes. Mosaddek Hossain cracked an unbeaten nine-ball 24 which had four boundaries.

Mahmudullah made 27 from 22 deliveries with a lone four and a six, while Captain Shakib Al Hasan scored 24 from 22 balls with three fours.

Sri Lankan medium pacer Chamika took two for 32, while spinner Wanindu Hasaranga picked up 2 for 41.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh: 183-7 in 20 overs (Afif Hossain 39, Mehidy Hasan 38, Mahmudullah 27, Mosaddek Hossain 24 not out, Shakib Al Hasan 24, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-41)

Sri Lanka: 184-8 in 19.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 60, Dasun Shanaka 45, Pathum Nissanka 20, Chamika Karunaratne 16, Danushka Gunathilaka 11, Asitha Fernando 10 not out, Ebadot Hossain 3-51, Taskin Ahmed 2-24)

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