Bangladesh seal 16-run win over Sri Lanka to level series

Bangladesh snapped their seven-match ODI losing streak with a tense 16-run win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, leveling the three-match series 1-1 and setting up a decider at Kandy.

Defending 249, Bangladesh bowled Sri Lanka out for 232 in 48.5 overs despite a fighting 78 from Janith Liyanage, who almost took the hosts to the brink of an improbable victory with a battling innings under lights.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib, entrusted with the penultimate over, delivered the final blow when he bowled Dushmantha Chameera for 13, sparking wild celebrations among the Bangladesh players who gathered around the young pacer as they closed out a much-needed victory in front of a full Premadasa.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s chase had started briskly with Kusal Mendis hammering 56 off 31 balls, racing to his half-century off just 20 deliveries with nine fours and a six, giving the hosts early momentum. However, left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam turned the tide for Bangladesh, claiming a maiden five-wicket haul in just his second ODI.

Tanvir dismissed Mendis with a delivery that turned past the bat to trap him lbw on review, before adding the scalps of Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage as Sri Lanka stumbled from 82 for 2 to 133 for 6. He later removed Maheesh Theekshana, who chipped a catch to short midwicket, completing his first five-for and leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 170 for 8.

However, Liyanage stood firm amid the collapse, reaching his fifth ODI fifty in 75 balls and adding 50 crucial runs for the ninth wicket with Chameera to keep Sri Lanka in the contest. The pair took Sri Lanka to 222 for 8, with Liyanage lifting Mustafizur Rahman for a six to reduce the equation to 21 off 16 balls.

But Mustafizur struck back immediately, having Liyanage caught after a fighting 78 off 85 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes. Chameera’s dismissal to Tanzim in the next over sealed the match in Bangladesh’s favour with seven balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh posted 248 in 45.5 overs after opting to bat first, with Parvez Hossain Emon top-scoring with a fluent 67 off 69 balls, while Towhid Hridoy anchored the innings with a patient 51. The visitors had raced to 100 inside 16 overs but suffered a familiar middle-order slump, losing wickets to poor shot selection and running errors, including Hridoy’s run-out after reaching his fifty.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s late cameo of 33 off 21 balls, featuring two sixes and two fours, lifted Bangladesh close to 250 before Wanindu Hasaranga (3-43) and Asitha Fernando (3-49) wrapped up the innings.

The win not only ended Bangladesh’s winless run in ODIs but also kept the series alive heading into the third and final ODI in Kandy, where Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s side will look to complete a comeback series victory, while Sri Lanka will aim to regroup quickly to avoid letting the series slip after their comprehensive win in the first match.

Source: Daily Sun
--Agencies