In an absolutely thrilling contest, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh to qualify for the Super Four stage at the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday.
Chasing 184 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother, losing their four wickets for just 77 after 8.5 overs. Before Bangladesh bowlers could capitalize further, opener Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka partnered to steer their side out of hot waters.
Mendis and Shanaka kept the run rate higher and made sure to keep Sri Lanka in the game. The duo formed a vital partnership of 54 runs for the fifth wicket and were looking solid to cruise through. However, that’s when Bangladesh came back and picked up two wickets in quick succession to reduce Sri Lanka to 141/6 after 16 overs, and the Islanders still required 43 off the final four overs.
Sri Lanka further lost two more wickets as the equation reached eight needed off the final six deliveries. Tailender Asitha Fernando held his nerves and managed to take his team over the finish line with three balls to spare.
Highest targets successfully chased by Sri Lanka:
- 194 vs Bangladesh Mirpur 2018
- 184 vs Bangladesh Dubai 2022 *
- 177 vs Australia Pallekele 2022
- 175 vs India Colombo RPS 2018
Earlier, Bangladesh managed to post a competitive total thanks to the contribution from the lower middle-order. The Tigers were 88/4 after the 11 overs but still managed to reach 183/7 at the end. Afif Hossain (39 off 22), Mahmudullah (27 off 22), and Mosaddek Hossain (24 not out off 9) chipped in with crucial knocks to get the team’s total past 180.
Apart from the trio, opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz (38 off 26) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (24 off 22) played some handy innings at the top to ensure the run rate didn’t fall too low. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (2/41) and Chamika Karunaratne (2/32) picked up two wickets each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Four phase of the #AsiaCup2022! #roaringforglory #SLvBAN #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/WRIRjMDDXh
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 1, 2022
Kusal Mendis had luck coming from everywhere today.
Easy catch drop at 2
Called back due to no-ball at 29
Review not taken at 31
Run out miss at 44
Outside edge landing safely at 53
Finally out at 60#BANvSL— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 1, 2022
Sri Lanka qualified for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup 2022.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 1, 2022
Debutant #SLvBAN #AsiaCup2022
ACC pic.twitter.com/V6PBLRt7Qg
— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) September 1, 2022
Sri Lanka are through to the Super Four phase of #AsiaCup2022 after winning a nail-biter #SLvBAN | #AsiaCup2022 | Scorecard: https://t.co/pxH6nCOZsp pic.twitter.com/wTDsPa4Yju
— ICC (@ICC) September 1, 2022
Sweet Revenge. Bangladesh Coach told Sri Lanka had no world class bowler so their bowlers turned up with the bat tonight. #BANvSL pic.twitter.com/6bh97nVagY
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) September 1, 2022
Greatest rivalry. Baap of Ashes. #BANvSL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 1, 2022
Fifty by Kusal Mendis in 32 balls. A great innings in the run chase by Mendis.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 1, 2022
Mosaddek Hossain in this Asia Cup for Bangladesh:-
48*(31) & 2.3-0-12-1.
24*(9).Best player of Bangladesh in this Asia Cup so far.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) September 1, 2022
In Ebadot’s first two overs, he got Bangladesh to a position where Sri Lanka would need something incredible to happen for them to win.
In his next two overs he gifted them that incredible thing. #AsiaCupT20 #SLvBAN
— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl) September 1, 2022
Mosaddek Hossain is class! ️
— Saykot (@_Saykot) September 1, 2022
Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets.#BCB | #Cricket | #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/txCnSTarvD
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 1, 2022
