After losing the first game by a big margin of 186 runs, Bangladesh emerging cricket team made a good comeback in the second game to level the three-match one-day series 1-1 beating their Sri Lankan opponent by two wickets at BKSP ground in Savar.
The home side put up a much-improved batting display after the 186-run defeat in the first game at the same venue as a 120-run third-wicket partnership between Yasir Ali and Nazmul Hossain helped them overhaul Sri Lanka’s 273 with two wickets and three balls to spare.
Yeasin Arafat, however, deserved some credit as his two sixes in three deliveries made the equation -- scoring 20 runs from last two overs -- easier.
Touring Sri Lanka Emerging team won the toss and opted to bat first in the flat track of BKSP and put up a challenging total of 273 runs all-out in 49.4 overs.
Opener Pathum Nissanka struck 55 while the middle-order batsman hit Kamindu Mendis hit 65 off 81 with five fours. These two batsmen laid down the foundation for Sri Lanka to a big total. Along with them, Charith Asalanka (45) and Jehan Daniel (43) did well with the bat to help their team to set up a total that can be defendable while bowling. For Bangladesh, Shafiqul Islam took three wickets while Nayeem Hasan bagged two.
In reply, Saif Hassan and Mohammad Naim failed to put up a big opening stand as the parted ways adding only 12 runs on the board. Naim fell as the first wicket scoring only five runs while Saif posted 27 on the board.
However, in the third wicket stand, captain Shanto pairing with Yasir added 120 runs to lead the team towards victory. Shanto scored 77 off 88 with nine fours and one six while Yasir struck 85 off 93 with three fours and five sixes. Afif Hossain (18) and Jaker Ali (11) also contributed with the bat to seal
the game.
For Sri Lanka, Jehan and Shiran Fernando bagged two wickets each but failed to win their team.
The two teams will travel to Khulna yesterday to play the series deciding the third and final one-dayer at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on August 24. After the three-match one-day series, both teams will lock horns in a two-match four-day series.
The first four-day match will be held in Khulna while the second one will take place in Chattogram.
