Former champions Sri Lanka held their nerve to qualify for Super Four of the Asia Cup right here with a exciting -wicket win over Bangladesh in a critical Group B fit at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, right here on Thursday.
While Sri Lanka and Afghanistan certified for Super Four from Group B, it changed into the quit of the match for Bangladesh, who misplaced each their matches. On the alternative hand, India have certified for Super Four from Group A and the winner of the conflict among Pakistan and Hong Kong on Friday will take the very last slot.
Chasing a tough overall of 184, Sri Lanka began out off well, scoring forty eight runs withinside the powerplay. But they quickly determined themselves in problem at 77/four withinside the 9th over.
However, Kusal Mendis, helped through a sequence of let-offs, compiled a half-century (60 off 37) and stored Sri Lanka in the sport. Once Mendis were given out, captain Dasun Shanaka had the undertaking of retaining the momentum and he took Sri Lanka near victory together along with his critical knock (forty five off 33) earlier than getting out withinside the 18th over.
At 158/7 withinside the 18th over, Sri Lanka’s hopes regarded carried out and dusted however Chamika Karunaratne gave a few lifeline to the innings together along with his sixteen off 10. Just while it gave the look of he’ll take Sri Lanka home, a suicidal run price Karunaratne his wicket withinside the 5th ball of the nineteenth over.
Though, the penultimate over finally grew to become out to be a efficient one for Sri Lanka, who controlled 17 runs off Ebadot Hossain’s over to convey the equation of their favour.
Sri Lanka wanted eight runs from 6 balls and Theekshana took a unmarried withinside the first ball of that very last over. Debutant Asitha Fernando (10 now no longer out off three balls) then hit a much-wanted boundary which changed into then accompanied through runs off the subsequent ball.
Sri Lanka wanted best 1 from three at that level however it changed into then relayed to the on-discipline umpire that Mahedi had overstepped which gave the island country a exciting -wicket win with wickets in hand and 4 balls to spare. It changed into additionally the highest-ever a hit run chase in UAE in T20Is, beating Afghanistan’s run chase of a hundred and eighty in opposition to UAE in 2016.
Ebadot Hossain (three/51) changed into the maximum a hit in addition to an pricey bowler for Bangladesh whilst Taskin Ahmed (2/24), Mustafizur Rahman (1/32), and Mahedi Hasan (1/30) have been the alternative wicket-takers.
Earlier, the complete first innings of the sport ebbed and flowed with each groups throwing punches at every different however finally, Bangladesh have been a hit in setting on a aggressive overall of 183/7 in 20 overs.
Put into to bat first, Bangladesh promoted Mehidy Hasan Miraz (38 off 26) to open the innings and he gave them a flying start. However, Sri Lanka fought returned with wickets at ordinary durations withinside the center overs.
Afif Hossain then got here on and took the sport through the scruff of the neck and slammed his manner to a 22-ball 39, giving impetus to the innings. He placed up a 57-run stand off 37 balls for the 5th wicket earlier than getting out withinside the seventeenth innings.
Mosaddek Hossain (24 now no longer out off 9) and Taskin Ahmed (eleven off 6) carried ahead that momentum and smashed 24 runs off eleven balls for the 8th wicket to take Bangladesh to 183-7.
For Sri Lanka, Chamika Karunaratne again with figures of 2/32, whilst Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva scalped 2/41.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 183/7 in 20 overs (Atif Hossain 39, Mehdiy Hasan Miraz 38; Chamika Karunaratne 2/32) misplaced to Sri Lanka 184/eight in 19.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 60, Dasun Shanaka forty five; Ebadot Hossain three/51) through 2 wickets
