Nidahas Trophy 2018, Match 3, SL vs BAN, Review: Mushfiqur Rahim seals a historic chase for the visitors

Bangladesh stunned the hosts Sri Lanka in a high-scoring game as they gunned down the target of 215 with only two balls to spare courtesy Mushfiqur Rahim. It is their highest chase ever in a T20 International and most importantly have a victory under their belt which makes Nidahas Trophy even more competitive. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, bowled and fielded poorly after batting splendidly to post a mammoth total on the board. However, Rahim had different ideas as he took his team through to set the celebrations start in their camp.

Bangladesh opted to field first much like the last couple of matches as both the sides fielded an unchanged XI on the park. The openers of Sri Lanka Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis strode out to the middle and pummelled the bowling of the visitors in the powerplay. They had no idea where to bowl as Mendis especially took a special liking to the bowlers continuing his good form against the Tigers.

Perera blitz help SL go past 200

Though Gunathilaka was castled by Mustafizur Rahman, the wicket only brought the in-form Kusal Perera in the middle. Both added 85 runs for the second wicket in less than 9 overs as the runs continued to flow. Mendis and Perera didn’t show any mercy towards the bowlers. However, the part-time bowling of the skipper Mahmudullah applied brakes on the run-scoring as he scalped Mendis and Dasun Shanaka in the same over. Mendis scored 57 off just 30 deliveries with a couple of fours and five sixes.

Though Perera played his shots and completed his second consecutive half-century as Dinesh Chandimal also failed to make an impact. Upul Tharanga joined the party then and smashed a quick-fire 32* off just 15 deliveries with 4 fours and a solitary maximum. Perera, however, was dismissed only in the penultimate over who scored 74 off just 48 cherries and merry of the bowling during his stay in the middle. Sri Lanka eventually posted a mammoth total of 214 runs for the loss of 6 after 20 overs.

It was a forgettable day for the bowlers of Bangladesh as all went for runs but Mustafizur picked three wickets while going for 48 runs in his 4 overs. The skipper Mahmudullah led from the front and scalped a couple conceding only 15 in his two-over spell.

Thrilling chase

Just when everyone thought that Bangladesh are batted out of the game by the home side, the opening duo of Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das proved them wrong. Both of them added 74 runs in the powerplay for the first wicket as the latter whacked 43 runs off only 19 balls only to be pinned in front by Nuwan Pradeep. The assault continued in the form of Tamim though who looked in no mood to give away his wicket as the visitors were right on track for the chase mid-way through.

However, they were jolted by the wicket of the left-handed opener in the 10th over who was caught and bowled off Thisara Perera. He pummelled 47 off 29 balls with 6 fours and a six and laid a platform for the batters to come. Soumya Sarkar struggled to pace up the innings but his partner and the veteran Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t back off and attacked the bowling. They added 51 runs as the former’s agony was ended by Pradeep in the 15th over to bring Mahmudullah to the scene.

Sri Lanka tightened things in the end even as Rahim reached his 50 off just 25 deliveries. Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman though returned to the hut as the former skipper single-handedly took the game to the last over when Bangladesh needed 9 runs to seal the highest run-chase in their T20I history. His experience came to the fore in the end as he got better of Thisara Perera with Sri Lanka making some silly mistakes on the field as well. Rahim remained unbeaten on 72 off 35 deliveries.

He was awarded Man of the Match for the heroic knock as the hosts were left wondering where they went wrong. All their bowlers went for runs as the tri-series has got interesting now with the teams winning a game each. The next game of the series will be played between India and Sri Lanka on Monday.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 214/6 after 20 overs (K Perera 74, K Mendis 57; M Rahman 3/48, Mahmudullah 2/15)

Bangladesh 215/5 after 19.4 overs (M Rahim 72*, T Iqbal 47, L Das 43; N Pradeep 2/37)

Result: Bangladesh won by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: Mushfiqur Rahim