By Srian Obeyesekere
Bangladesh did well to comeback on a triumphant 16-run second ODI against Sri Lanka to draw level in a contest Kusal Mendis when in a full flight of a 20-ball half century got carried away to not holding his nerve to seeing his side through having rushed down the wicket to be deceived by a Tanvir delivery falling leg before wicket as the hosts chased 245 lost their way from 75 for 2 wickets in 9.3 overs to struggling on 170 for 8 into 38.3 overs despite a valiant rearguard 78 off 85 by Janith Liyanage filled with 7 boundaries and 2 over the top in a 58-run ninth wicket last ditch effort together with No.10 Dushmantha Chameera, but Liyanage’s late charge ending close to victory when he was ninth out caught and bowled by Mustafizur Rahman saw Bangladesh prevail in a dramatic finish at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium last night on a day both of Sri Lanka’s top batters Pathum Nissanka and skipper Charith Asalanka failed with the bat.
Largely Sri Lanka’s loss was marked by failure at the top of the specialist batsmen lacking the skill of holding the batting together in such a run chase which was gettable.
Bangladesh did make the most of winning the toss and taking first lease to posting 248, 4.1 overs short of 50 overs on a brave almost run a ball stroke filled 67 by Parvez Hossain Emon and No.4 Towhid Hridoy 51 off 69 content with just the 2 boundaries to taking his side past 200 to No.8 Tanzim Hasan Sakib lighting up the innings with a belligerent unbeaten 33 off 21 heightened with 2 over the top and to the ropes as well in defying a Lankan attack spearheaded by the 4-wicket quick Asitha Fernando at a cost of 35 runs and Wanindu Hasaranga 3 for 60 where it is questionable whether Sri Lanka’s ace wicket taking leg spin wizard was introduced too late into the attack fifth change after the horses had bolted with skipper Asalanka too over dependent on pace having also had Dunith Wellalage into the attack fifth change.
Bangladesh’s match winner was the 5-wicket Player of the Match off spinner Tanvir Islam who conceded just 39 runs in his 10 overs in getting the key wickets of Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis for 33 and stonewaller Dunith Wellalage for 1.
