The first Super Fours clash went right down to the wire as Bangladesh gunned down the 169-run target and sailed to a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the ongoing Asia Cup on Saturday in Dubai.
In the final over, Bangladesh who stayed composed and savoured the sweet taste of success.
The result meant, Sri Lanka’s 8-match winning streak in the tournament came to a bitter end.
Defending a 168-run target, Sri Lanka thought Nuwan Thushara handed them the ideal start by rattling Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s stumps for a two-ball duck. But Saif Hassan (61 runs) had other intentions, and he spoiled the party for Sri Lanka with his rollicking strokeplay.
Captain Littton Das played the second fiddle with his well-paced 23 (16), ensuring Bangladesh ended the powerplay with 59/1. However, his exploits ended just three balls later after the fielding restrictions were lifted. He tried to go after Wanindu Hasaranga but holed it to Pathum Nissanka.
Hassan forged a 54-run partnership with Towhid Hridoy before perishing against Hasaranga. Before his top edge landed in Dunith Wellalage’s hands in the 14th over, he dazzled on the crease with some delightful strokes and eventually returned with 61(45).
Hridoy dispatched Kamindu Mendis for a towering maximum and two fours in the 15th over to churn out a whopping 16 runs. With a single on the first delivery of the 17th over, he sprinted for a single after a thick outside edge to bring up his fifty. His exploits ended in the penultimate over after being trapped in front of the stumps by Dushmantha Chameera on 58(37).
