In a rain marred match, Bangladesh thwarted Sri Lanka by 103 runs (D/L method) in the second ODI. Tigers sealed the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday. This is Bangladesh’s first ever bilateral series win against Sri Lanka across all formats.
Rain did spoil the party in parts, but couldn't dampen a breathtaking 127-ball 125 by Mushfiqur Rahim in a familiar rearguard innings from him, with ample support from Mahmudullah. Their resolute batting propelled Bangladesh to a fighting total of 246.
Sri Lanka were rather negative from the outset, they lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to put on partnerships. 8 out of 11 batsmen got into double figures, but no one crossed 24, which showed the dire state of their batting. Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraz kept it watertight, and eventually, rain forced a farcical equation of 119 to win in 2 overs, for which Sri Lanka have no one to blame but themselves. Their innings ended at 141/9 in 40 overs.
Bangladesh started the bowling innings with a concussion sub as Mohammad Saifuddin was replaced by pacer Taskin Ahmed, who is the first-ever ODI concussion sub for Bangladesh.
Defending 246, Bangladesh spinners got into action, with Mehedi and Shakib Al Hasan scalping two quick wickets to put Sri Lanka in a spot of bother. After that, Sri Lanka failed to build any kind of resistance in front of lethal bowling of Bangladesh bowling. They lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to put any ascendency over Bangladeshi bowlers. For Bangladesh, Miraz and Mustafiz bagged three wickets each, while Shakib bagged a brace.
During Bangladesh’s innings, after a dramatic first over, skipper Tamim Iqbal was trapped in LBW in the second over, bowled by Dushmantha Chameera, who scalped the wicket of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in that very same over for a duck. Like the first ODI, it was a similar batting display from the Tigers as one of the seniors stepped up after a wobble. Mushfiqur anchored the innings, especially with Mahmudullah. They were just 161 and had nearly 17 overs to go once Mahmudullah fell, before Mushfiqur showed all the experience and chaperoned the lower order on his way to his eighth ODI century.
