Asia Cup 2022: Match 5 - Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Who Said What

Sri Lanka registered a memorable comeback win over Bangladesh in the fifth match of the 2022 Asia Cup on Thursday. Sri Lankan skipper played a captain's knock to guide his team to Super-Four round in a last over thriller at Dubai International Stadium. Bangladesh put a mammoth 184-run target while batting first but the Asian giants managed to chase the mountain with two wickets and four balls remaining.

Sri Lanka won the toss and invited their rivals to bat first. Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando replaced Matheesha Pathirana to make his T20I debut. Asitha made an instant impact by dismissing Sabbir Rahman with just 19 runs on the scoreboard. But opening batter Mehidy Hasan and skipper Shakib Al Hasan put a 39-run partnership for the second wicket to avoid early damage in powerplay overs. The star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga removed Hasan in seventh over who smashed 38 runs off 26 balls. 

Chamika Karunaratne put Sri Lanka ahead with a big wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim in the next over. And mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana bowled out dangerous-looking Shakib in the eleventh over to put Bangladesh under pressure with 87/4 runs on the scoreboard in 10.3 overs. But youngster Afif Hossain and former skipper Mahmudullah regained control by playing attacking cricket in middle overs. Afif smashed 39 runs off just 22 balls and Mahmudullah scored 27 runs off 22 balls to form a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket. 

Kusal Mendis smashed quick fifty to give Sri Lanka positive start

Mosaddek Hossain smashed unbeaten 24 runs off nine balls to guide Bangladesh to 183/7 total. For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga and Karunaratne took two wickets each. The Island nation started the chase on a positive note with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis putting in a 45-run partnership for the first wicket in powerplay overs. Ebadot Hossain dismissed Nissanka and Charith Asalanka in the same over to get his team back in the game. 

Sri Lanka lost their middle-order batters Danushka Gunathilaka (11) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (2) before the end of nine overs. But Mendis continued to score from the other end and smashed 60 runs off 37 balls. The star pacer Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Mendis in the 15th over to put Bangladesh in a firm position to win the match.

But Sri Lankan skipper played a captain's knock of 45 runs off 33 balls to help his team reach closer to a target. Karunaratne smashed 16 runs off 10 balls and Asitha Fernando scored unbeaten 10 runs off just three balls when they needed 25 runs to win the last two overs. 

Losing Captain, Shakib Al Hasan:

Death bowling is something we are looking to improve and that has cost us the game, The last two overs they were eight down and needed to get 17-18 runs and they got with a lot of balls to spare. We are not bowling well in he death. We should give lot of credit to SL, the way they held their nerves. We wanted to pick wickets, and saw the fast bowlers were picking wickets. There was pressure on SL. Whenever the bowlers bowl, they need to execute their plans. If you look at the last six months, we were not competitive but we were very competitive this time. We need to work in a lot of areas before the World Cup in Australia.

Winning Captain, Dasun Shanaka:

Yeah, in the middle period I thought it was tough. When Kusal and I were at the crease, I felt it was achievable. Our openers did a very good job today. We lacked that in the other games. After that the partnerships went on. I had thought about that, but from the team's point of view, I have to sacrifice my place and come down but I am happy to do that. My first priority is the team. It was Chamika's run out, I thought the game was done. But Asitha Fernando's two shots were great.

Player of the Match, Kusal Mendis:

First six overs, I played my normal game and did that all through. [On the no ball] I came out to bat again, and had a good plan and wanted to complete the game. I had a few chances. I did the best for the team. I did a lot of practice in Sri Lanka in the last six months. I know my job according to the team's point of view. I will do everything that is best for my team. Thank You, Sri Lanka supporters.