BAN vs SL, 1st T20I Review: Sri Lanka thump the hosts handsomely to go 1-0 up in the series

Despite bowling poorly in the first innings, Sri Lanka managed to chase down a big total thanks to some wonderful contributions from their batsmen. The hosts Bangladesh looked firmly in control when they won the toss and opted to bat first on a flat deck. Their batsmen justified the captain’s call, but the bowlers’ reciprocation didn’t go according to the plan.

The Tigers didn’t have Tamim Iqbal opening for them. So taking the opening responsibility were Souwmya Sarkar and Zakir Hasan. Sarkar provided a blazing start with some crunchy shots in the powerplay. Though Hasan was dismissed cheaply, Sarkar kept batting with great freedom thanks to the presence of his senior pro Mushfiqur Rahim at the other end.

They looked firmly in contention for a score in excess of 200, but their innings slowed up in the middle overs. Sarkar was dismissed immediately after getting to his fifty and Afif Hossain followed him two balls later. Skipper Mahmadullah and Mushfiqur took some time from the overs 11-16, where the scoring rate dipped slightly, but they came back stronger towards the end.

Mahmudullah chipped in with a couple of big sixes just before he was dismissed and Mushfiqur had completed a well-compiled half-century. The duo added 73 runs for the fourth wicket and it was all down to Mushfiqur to give them a solid finish. He did a fantastic job in the final 10 balls, amassing 20 runs for the side and remaining not out on 66.

Bangladesh registered their highest total in T20Is thanks to the trio of Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur and Sarkar. They managed 193 runs for the loss of five wickets. The Lankans, who were on an 8-match losing streak, looked favourites to make it nine at this point. Barring Jeevan Mendis (2/21), all the other bowlers travelled around the park.

Shanaka and Perera finish off in style

Although their bowling rendition was disappointing, their batsmen chased the total handsomely, without much fuss. It was just a picture-perfect way to reciprocate to a big total in front of them. Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka went after the bowlers right from the word go and they added a 50-run stand inside five overs.

Nazmul Islam managed to get the better of Gunathilaka, who eventually succumbed trying to accelerate the scorecard. Kusal Mendis then registered a 37-run stand with Upul Tharanga, where the latter scored just 4 runs. That pretty much explains the picture and Mendis was absolutely going berserk.

This was the phase when the game completely turned into the Lankans’ favour. Mendis registered a breathtaking half-century off 25 balls before getting dismissed for 53. Upul Tharanga threw his wicket away just three balls later and the visitors were in a spot of bother at 92/3 in 8.3 overs. Though the scoring rate was above par, three crucial wickets almost sabotaged their mission.

Dasun Shanaka ensured nothing stupid happened, then on, stitching a crucial 37-run stand with Niroshan Dickwella. After Dickwella’s departure, Thisara Perera walked in with a mood to demolish the bowlers. He rightly did so and both players exhibited strokeplay of the most powerful order. They were striking the ball ruthlessly and it kept travelling over the boundary line regularly.

Eventually, they managed to chase down the 194-run target with 20 balls remaining, which clearly explains how dominant they were. Barring Nazmul Islam, who conceded just 25 runs in his 4 overs, everyone conceded at over 10 an over. Shanaka finished with a 24-ball 42 and Perera too remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 193/5 in 20 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 66*, Souwmya Sarkar 51, Mahmudullah 43)

Sri Lanka: 194/4 in 16.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 53, Dasun Shanaka 42*, Thisara Perera 39*)

Player of the match: Kusal Mendis

For more news and updates from the cricketing world, keep following CricTracker.