Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a fifty to guide his side to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second of the three-match series in Sylhet on Wednesday.
The win meant that the series was levelled at 1-1 and would be decided after the third T20I on Saturday.
Shanto hit two sixes and four boundaries for his unbeaten 38-ball 53 and put together an 87-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, who remained not out on 32 off 25 balls featuring two fours and a solitary six, to take Bangladesh home comfortably as the Tigers chased down Sri Lanka's 165 with 11 balls to spare.
The platform was, however, set by openers Liton Das and Soumya Sarker as the duo put together a rare solid start as they put on a 68-run stand to get their side off to a flying start. Liton scored a 24-ball 36 and Soumya managed a 22-ball 26 but both fell victim to Sri Lanka quick Matheesha Pathirana reducing the hosts to two down for 83 after nine overs. After that, Shanto and Hridoy played steadily to keep any potential hiccups at bay and left little room for an opening for the visitors.
Bangladesh were set a 166-run target, courtesy of an expert bowling effort that did not allow the Lankans to run away with the game despite a solid start.
Five of the six bowlers used by Shanto picked up one wicket each but it was Shoriful Islam's effort that stood out. He went wicketless as he conceded just 20 runs from his four overs but looked the most menacing for the Lankan batters.
