In a thrilling BAN vs SL T20 series opener on Monday, Dasun Shanaka an eventful last over taking two-wicket in the last over to lead Sri Lanka to a three-run victory over Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Batting first in the BAN vs SL 1st T20I, Sri Lanka scored 206 runs riding on a couple of half-centuries. In reply, the hosts fell agonisingly short by just three runs much to the disappointment of a packed crowd.
Bangladesh won the toss on Monday and put Sri Lanka to bat first. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s undefeated 61 off 48 balls and opener Kusal Mendis’s 36-ball 59 set the foundation for Sri Lanka’s total. Charith Asalanka, the team’s stand in captain, hit six sixes on his way to an attacking 21-ball 44 not out to lead the team past the total of 200.
In reply, Bangladesh did not have a bright start and lost its top order within just 30 runs. When fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana dismissed captain Shanto, who made 20 off 22, Bangladesh’s hopes were fading at 68-4.
Playing his first T20 match in two years, veteran Mahmudullah counterattacked to get the team back into the game. Mahmudullah scored 54 off 31 with two fours and four sixes, but Maheesh Theekshana got the better of him after he and Jaker added 47 runs for the fifth wicket. Jaker took on the role of anchor after appearing shaky at first. With four fours and six sixes, he almost single-handedly took the team to the verge of victory before Shanaka’s genius kept Bangladesh from winning.
Shanaka kept his calm to claim two wickets at death to ensure Sri Lanka had their noses ahead in the three-match T20I series.
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