Super 12 - Match 15, Sharjah, October 24, 2021, 03:30 PM
171/4(20.0ov)
172/5(18.5ov)
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Charith Asalanka
Commentry
That's all from the coverage from this game. The two Asian sides have met and Sri Lanka have come out as the better team of the two. But don't go anywhere and stay glued to your TV screens as two more Asian sides will battle out in another match as India take on Pakistan. That match will start at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT). Switch tabs to enjoy the action from that game. Till then, cheers!
Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that it was a difficult target but when the batsmen get set, it is easier to clear the ropes. On talking about Bhanuka, the birthday boy, he says that it was a brilliant performance and the young players are stepping up at the right time and hitting with some confidence.
Mahmudullah, the skipper of Bangladesh, says that their batters did a great job. Liton Das and Mohammad Naim gave them a good start but it was their fielding which let them down. Adds that they felt that an extra spinner was a good option on this track. Tells that they would be looking to correct those things going ahead.
Charith Asalanka is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH - He says that it feels nice to win the game for Sri Lanka and is very happy at the moment. Mentions that the coach asked him to play his natural game and he did that. Tells that Bhanuka played wonderful shots and changed the game completely. Adds that it was a great chase and is looking forward to play more knocks for his country.
Presentation time...
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh scored 171 runs on a tough pitch, courtesy of some fine batting from Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Naim! They were confident going into the chase but the likes of Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa had other plans and Sri Lanka chased down the target quite comfortably in the end.
Bangladesh got off to a dream start as they got rid of the dangerous Kusal Perera, courtesy of some clever bowling from Nasum Ahmed upfront. They lost some momentum as the Sri Lankan batters came hard at them in the Powerplay. But it was their game-changer, Shakib Al Hasan who got two wickets in an over and Bangladesh got back into the contest. The other bowlers failed to maintain the pressure on Lanka's batters and their fielding was way below par as well as they dropped a couple of catches at crucial juncture in the game. All in all, the Bangla Tigers would be disappointed as they could not defend the score after batting so, so well on a tough pitch.
Sri Lanka did not start well as they lost the wicket of Kusal Perera in the very first over. But it was the second wicket partnership between Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka which got Sri Lanka back into the game. They stitched together an important partnership of 69 runs before the latter departed. Avishka Fernando got out for a duck soon after and Sri Lanka's in-form batter, Wanindu Hasaranga also perished after scoring just 6 runs. Then came the birthday boy, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who played some classy shots and took the game away from the Tigers. Charith Asalanka played second fiddle and the momentum shifted completely in Sri Lanka's favour once Rajapaksa changed gears. These two batted exceptionally well and saw their team through! Bhanuka Rajapaksa did get out in the end but the damage had already been done!
What a chase this has been from Sri Lanka and Charith Asalanka has played a blinder along with Bhanuka Rajapaksa to get them over the line! It is also Sri Lanka's highest successful chase in a T20 World Cup! Bangladesh would be disappointed as they started well with the ball after putting up a good score on the board but they have failed to defend it.
In over# 19
4
2
1
0W
2
Nasum Ahmed 29/2(2.5)
18.5
4
FOUR! A flatter ball, outside off. Charith Asalanka looks to push but gets a thick outside edge and the ball races away to the third man fence. SRI LANKA WIN BY 5 WICKETS.
18.4
2
A full ball, outside off. Charith Asalanka skips down and looks to go over the off side but toe-ends it over point for a brace as the cover fielder cuts it off.
18.3
1
Short and on off. Dasun Shanaka slaps it to covers for a single.
Dasun Shanaka is the new batsman in.
18.2
W
OUT! TIMBER! Is there a twist in this game? A flatter ball, angling around middle and leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa backs away and looks to cut but fails to get any bat on it. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the stumps behind. 7 needed in 10 balls.
18.1
2
A full ball, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa reverse hits it to deep point for a brace.
In over# 18
0
1
2
0
1
0
Mustafizur Rahman 22/0(3)
17.6
.
A widish yorker now, outside off. Chamika Karunaratne swings and misses. 9 needed in 12 balls.
17.5
1
Around off, pushed to covers for a single.