DHAKA, March 13, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto heaped praise on bowlers for their effort in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, which his side won by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in three-match series.

He said the way the bowlers came back after Sri Lanka's rapid start set the platform for their facile victory. 

"I believe in all the bowlers. We started with Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, they tried but on a wicket like this it's hard for them," he told the broadcasters after the first match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.
 
"Then Tanzim Hasan came and gave us the breakthrough. The way the bowlers came back (after initial trouble), it's nice to see and I am really happy for them."

Bur Shanto was instrumental in the victory, hitting his career-best 122 not out. He smashed 13 fours and two sixes in his 129 ball-knock. His innings came at a moment when Bangladesh were in deep trouble after losing three wickets for 23 runs in 5.1 overs.

He firstly shared a 69-run partnership with Mahmudullah Riyad who hit a run-a-ball-39 and then a 165-run with Mushfiqur Rahim for an undefeated fifth wicket to sail the side home. Mushfiqur Rahim was not out on 73.
Shanto also gave credit to those two seasoned campaigners who delivered when it mattered most.

"We knew that with the new ball it's quite hard so I just banked on my skill and took a little bit of time. Later on the wicket was very easy because of the dew," he said.

"Mahmudullah started his innings it helped me a lot, after that Mushfiqur showed his experience- we all know how capable he is. I hope he will continue his form."
 
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said middle order's failure denied them a good total on this wicket. Also he disclosed that dew factor effectively neutralized their bowlers' skill. 

 "Pathum and Avishka batted really well in the first 10 overs. The middle order struggled a little bit after that. I think 280+ plus would have been a better score on this surface," he said.

"Dew also came in after the 20th over, I hope we do better in the next game. Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan bowled really well in the first 10 overs, but when the ball got wetter with the dew it was harder to control the ball and that helped them with the batting."