SL vs BAN 2025, 2nd T20I Review: Litton Das steps up with the bat to help Bangladesh strike level

Bangladesh secured an 83-run win over Sri Lanka in the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series. This meant the series is now tied at 1-1 and will be decided in the final game of the tour at the R .Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16.

The Bangla Tigers had lost both their openers on the final deliveries of the first and second overs of the innings, respectively. They somehow crawled to 39/2 at the end of their powerplay. The team fifty was brought up by a delightful maximum by skipper Litton Das. However, the hosts were still in firm control of proceedings after only 69 runs were scored at the halfway mark.

Binura Fernando struck twice in his third over, the 11th of the innings, to get rid of Towhid Hridoy (31 off 25) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1 off 2). With the help of Shamim Hossain by his side, Das accelerated and brought up his own fifty in style. This was his first in the format after 13 innings without one.

He perished on the first ball of the penultimate over for 76 off 50 in an innings which comprised one four and five sixes. Despite a couple of run-outs in the final over, including that of Shamim Hossain (48 off 27), the visitors ended their innings on a competitive 177/7. Nuwan Thushara (1/30 in 4.0 overs) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/30 in 4.0 overs) registered identical figures.

The Lankans lost twice as many wickets as the opposition inside their set of six overs. Two of those were taken by Shoriful Islam, who was brought in for Tanzim Hasan Sakib as one of the three changes Bangladesh made to their XI from the first game a few days back. The required run rate had climbed in excess of 11.00 at the end of the run-chase's 10 overs.

The 11th over entirely changed the complexion of the game, as the leg spin of Rishad Hossain struck twice to dismiss Pathum Nissanka (32 off 29) and Chamika Karunaratne (0 off 2) in a span of just three deliveries. The Lankan Lions found themselves seven down on the first ball of the 12th over, with Dasun Shanka departing for 20 off 16.

It was all over for Sri Lanka in the next few overs. Binura, the standout performer with the ball, was the last wicket to fall as the Lankans were bowled out in 15.2 overs. Much like in the 50-over segment, Das & Co. have forced a decider in the T20I series as well. Litton & Co. would be keen on wrapping up the all-format series on a positive note.