DHAKA, Sept 1, 2022 (BSS) - A superb batting display steered Bangladesh to a mammoth 183-7 against Sri Lanka in their 'do or die' Asia Cup T20 game at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today.
This is Bangladesh's highest total in the UAE and also raised their prospect to move to the Super Fours.
After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh indeed rode on the total team performance in the high stake game, where no one could reach half-century. The highest 39 runs came from the willow of Afif Hossain, who hammered four fours and two sixes in his 22-bal-knock.
Bangladesh came up with three changes after conceding a seven-wicket defeat to Afghanistan and it paid off at least in their batting. The Tigers fielded a makeshift opening pair in Sabbir Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, dropping Anamul Haque Bijoy and Naim Sheikh.
The move indeed worked well with Mehidy striking a fluent 26 ball-38 with two fours and as many sixes. Sabbir, playing his first T20 game after three years made just 5.
Ebadot Hossain was the other change of Bangladesh, replacing Mohammad Saifuddin.
Shakib joined Miraz after the departure of Sabbir and the duo helped Bangladesh amassed 56 runs in the first six overs. This was the first 50 plus runs for Bangladesh in the first powerplay after 13 matches.
Miraz got out after the first powerplay, trying to pace his innings further. Mushfiqur Rahim came in and yet again failed to deliver as he was dismissed for 4.
Shakib also followed the suit, scoring 22 ball-24 but during this knock, he became the only second player in the world after Dwayne Bravo to score 6000 runs and take 400 wickets in T20s.
Shakib's dismissal left Bangladesh to 87-4 in 11th over and there was fear whether Bangladesh could go past 150. But Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah Riyad shared 57-run for the fifth wicket to quell the fear. The dismissal of Afif broke the partnership.
Mahmudullah made 22 ball-27 before being out and then Mosaddek played a quick knock of 9 ball-24 not out to help Bangladesh propel past 180 runs mark.
Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Chamika Karunaratne claimed two wickets apiece for the Lankans.
