Twitter Reactions: Mahmudullah blitz stuns Sri Lanka, takes Bangladesh to the finals

Team Sri Lanka locked horns with the visiting Bangladesh side in the all-important penultimate clash of the Nidahas Trophy 2018. The equation for the match was quite simple – the winner would take it all, and the loser would crash out of the tournament. The Indian team had already qualified for the finals, and hence, this final league game turned out to be a virtual semifinal for the two participating sides.

Coming to the game, Bangladesh arrived with sky high confidence. Albeit they had lost their previous game against India, they had the pride of beating Sri Lanka in the previous encounter between the two sides. For the hosts, it was about getting their confidence back. After having won the series opener against India, they had lost their plot big time.

Amidst this backdrop, the two sides faced off in Colombo. In the game, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Certainly, they wanted to chase against the opposition they had beaten chasing a few days ago. The move looked very right with the Bangladeshi bowlers cashing in early. Sri Lanka slumped to a horrible position of being 41/5 at one stage in the game.

It was Kusal Perera (61) and Thisara Perera (58) who rebuilt the innings to take Sri Lanka to safety. Their efforts ensured that the hosts posted a decent 159/7 in their stipulated 20 overs. In the run chase, Bangladesh failed to strike partnerships. While they kept losing wickets at one end, Tamim Iqbal (50) held the fort at the other.

After his dismissal, it was down to Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan to keep the run chase alive. 50 runs were needed off the final five overs when the two senior men joined hands at the crease. Shakib failed to deliver but Mahmudullah kept his side interested. He took the game to the final over with 12 runs needed in the final over.

Some serious drama unfolded in the final over with Shakib Al Hasan calling the Bangladeshi batsmen back in the final over. He was unhappy with an altercation the Bangladeshi substitutes had with Thisara Perera. Towards the end, it was Mahmudullah’s whirlwind unbeaten 43 that stunned the hosts. He hit a six to finish things off in style and win the game with two wickets in hand.

Here is how the fans reacted to Bangladesh’s win:

National Sports of Bangladesh should be fighting for a NO ball.#SLvBAN

— Subhashish Dhar (@subhashish06) March 16, 2018

Shakib may end up as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, but in the maturity department he’s sorely lacking. #SLvBAN #NidahasTrophy

— Jamie Alter (@jamie_alterTOI) March 16, 2018

This is the first time Bangladesh have successfully chased down more than 10 runs in the final over of an International game. #SLvBAN #NidahasTrophy

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 16, 2018

So Sri Lanka team won't be there to celebrate 70th anniversary of independence on Sunday's #NidahasTrophy2018 final. ???#SLvBAN

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 16, 2018

Brilliant effort that from Mahmudullah , Bangladesh deserving winners . #NidahasTrophy

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 16, 2018

Waiting to see footage from the stairwell cam #SLvBAN

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 16, 2018

Nurul Hasan could perhaps become the first substitute to get demerit points (and even get suspended). #SLvBAN #NidhasTrophy

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 16, 2018

How many demerit points today? Many more than in South Africa I would imagine!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 16, 2018

Have Bangladesh players got enough demerit points today for the ICC to declare India as the winners of the Nidahas Trophy? Saves time!

— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) March 16, 2018

That was an astonishing finish to what was essentially a SF between Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. Mahmudullah – like he did in the 2016 Asia Cup with 22* (15) v Pakistan in a virtual SF – takes Bangladesh over the line with 44* (18). He remained calm when Shakib did not. #NidahasTrophy

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 16, 2018

and then the Bangladeshi players complain about no balls.. pic.twitter.com/k9WzJCoXEG

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) March 16, 2018

So it will be India Vs Bangladesh final.#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/uzTAUjNzkJ

— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) March 16, 2018

close enough? #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/sHo1HhqS9d

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 16, 2018

What a game.. tough lost for @OfficialSLC . Very well played @BCBtigers. ?

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) March 16, 2018

What scenes here at Premadasa as Bangladesh pull off a superb win! Match referee will be very busy tonight. #NidahasTrophy

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 16, 2018

Courtney Walsh is the kind of cricketer who declined to run out the non-striker backing out of the crease because he thought it unsportsmanlike. He will be deeply ashamed of the behaviour of the team he is now coaching. #NidahasTrophy2018 #SLvBAN

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 16, 2018

Shameful stuff by Bangladesh , never expected this from most luved bangla player Mr. @Sah75official #NidahasTrophy2018 #SLvBAN

Kudos to #Mahmudullah for winning knock ?

— Alok Sharma_02? (@alok2k11) March 16, 2018

To bangladesh captain, dude you are not playing gully cricket and stop the match in between and to over enthusiac bangla players, stop acting as you have won the world cup #SLvBAN

— Aadil (@adi1310) March 16, 2018

Srilanka should be ashamed for inviting such a team to take part in #NidhasTrophy , Lost all the respects which i had for @Sah75official and @BCBtigers . #Shame #SLvBAN

— Nibraz Ramzan (@Nibrazcricket) March 16, 2018

Atleast Our street cricket fights make some sense ? #SLvBAN #NidhasTrophy

— Mani Tendo (@mani_tendo) March 16, 2018

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