DHAKA, March 10, 2018 (BSS)- A match-winning knock by Mushfiqur Rahim saw Tigers shrugged off their previous match defeat as they fight back to register an overwhelming five-wicket victory over hosts Sri Lanka in the third match of Twenty20 international of the Nidahas tri-series on Saturday.
Chasing a massive wining target of 215 run set by Sri Lanka, Bangladesh reached home for the loss of five wickets with two balls to spare.
Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front with record chase for with match-winning unbeaten knock of 35-ball off 72-run hitting five boundaries and four over boundaries to secure Tigers remarkable victory, after the two Tigers openers paved the way with a solid opening stand.
The two Tigers’ openers – Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das – gave Bangladesh set a early tempo of chase contributing 74 runs for the opening stand. Liton blasted 19-ball off 43-run featuring two boundaries and five over boundaries before he fell to Pradeep.
Opener Tamim Iqbal gave a return catch to Thisara Perera after scoring 29-ball off 47-run that included six boundaries and one over boundary.
Tamim’s departure allowed Mushfiqur Rahim to come on the crease. Mushfiq then pairing with Soumya Sarkar added a crucial 51-run for the third wicket stand keeping Bangladesh on track.
Soumya smashed 22-ball off 24-run hitting two boundaries and one over boundary. Stand in captain Mahmudullah added useful 11-ball off 20-run to his name.
Nuwan Pradeep was the pick of Sri Lankan bowlers as he captured two Bangladesh wickets conceding 37 runs.
Earlier, blistering half centuries from opener Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera powered Sri Lanka to amass a daunting total of 214 for 6 in 20 overs at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The right handed batsman Mendis, who smashed 57 and Perera, who top-scored with 74, put together a breezy 85-run stand for the second wicket stand to give the hosts an imposing total after being put into bat first.
Skipper Mahmudullah got Mendis out with his off-spin as he struck twice in his very first over to check Sri Lanka’s surge.
But the left-handed Perera continued onslaught with bat on Bangladesh bowlers by hitting his second successive fifty. He cracked eight fours and two sixes during his 48-ball blitz.
Upul Tharanga also played a useful cameo during his unbeaten 15-ball 32 to help the host to cross the two hundred runs landmark.
Bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman was the most successful bowler as he captured three Sri Lankan’s wicket conceding 38 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a six-wicket defeat to India in t heir opening match of the tournament.