The spectacle of 360-degree hitting might attraction to the senses, however typical clear placing can do the job simply as properly. Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy’s fifties have been a testomony to this as Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets within the first Super Four match of the Asia Cup right here on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Saif introduced up his fifty off 36 balls, however his intent was on show as early because the third over when he deposited the slingy Nuwan Thushara for a 4 and a six down the bottom. He additionally confirmed deft footwork in laying into Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin with two sixes, going straight and then inside-out.
Following Saif’s dismissal, Hridoy took up the trigger. He greeted Kamindu Mendis with two fours and a six – driving, pulling, and reducing.
After scoring a scorching fifty with the bat, it was once more right down to Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka to summon some magic. Left with simply 4 runs to defend within the ultimate over, Shanaka jolted Bangladesh twice in three balls, however it wasn’t sufficient.
Earlier, Sri Lanka shot off the blocks, crawled via the center, and raced to the end line to publish a aggressive complete.
Having blazed via the PowerPlay, the Lankans eked out solely 45 runs within the subsequent eight overs earlier than Shanaka turned the screws with a 30-ball fifty.
Skipper Charith Asalanka chipped in with a helpful 12-ball 21 to inject momentum into the innings. However, Mustafizur Rahman’s three-wicket nineteenth over, which included Asalanka’s run out, stopped Sri Lanka from inflicting an excessive amount of injury.
Considering the pinnacle begin offered by its openers, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka would have hoped for extra.
Ahead of the match, the highlight was on Wellalage, who confirmed exemplary braveness to beat the dying of his father two days in the past and took the sector.
The scores: Sri Lanka 168/7 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 34, Dasun Shanaka 64 n.o., Mahedi Hasan 2/25, Mustafizur Rahman 3/20) misplaced to Bangladesh 169/6 in 19.5 overs (Saif Hassan 61, Towhid Hridoy 58, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22, Dasun Shanaka 2/21). Toss: Bangladesh; PoM: Saif.
