BAN vs SL 1st ODI- Exceptional all-round showing help hosts take 1-0 lead

Hosts Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the 3 match ODI series against Sri Lanka after winning the series opener by 33 runs. The match went on despite a covid scare early on and in the end it was a brilliant all-round performance from the hosts. The target of 258 proved to be way too much in the end for the visitors as they were bowled out for 224 in the 49th over. 

The visitors started off briskly courtesy some exceptional shots from the blade of Danushka Gunathilaka. A good start was neutralised by Mehidy Hasan when he prized out Gunathilaka. The visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals which never really allowed them to press on the accelerator. With Sri Lanka down and out sliding down the barrel, it was Wanindu Hasaranga who gave the visitors an array of hope with a brilliant knock. 

The all-rounder looked in superb touch and shared some important stands down the batting order. Hasaranga smashed his way to a 60 balls 74 which was studded with 3 fours and 5 sixes. However, he never got ample support from the other end which meant that Sri Lanka was always playing catch. 

Eventually, they were skittled out for 224 in the penultimate over to hand Bangladesh a convincing 33 runs victory in the end. Off-spinner Mehidy had a ball with the ball returning with figures of 4/30 in his allotted 10 overs. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman carried on the good work in the IPL and ended with three crucial wickets. 

Earlier in the day, it was Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal who won the toss and opted to bat. Bangladesh were pegged early as Liton Das in the 2nd over of the match by a good delivery from Dushmantha Chameera. Shakib Al Hasan who was batting at No 3 for the first time since a dream run in the 2019 World Cup struggled his way to a 34 balls 15 which included a couple of fours. 

It was the partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim which got Bangladesh back into the game. Tamim Iqbal looked in sublime touch and despite the sluggish track, both the batsmen looked in complete command of proceedings. Tamim was dismissed soon after completing a well-deserved half-century. 

It was Dhananjaya de Silva who helped the Lanks storm their way back into the game with wickets of Tamim and Mohammad Mithun in consecutive deliveries. Rahim who looked a class apart continued the good work and help Bangladesh steady the ship with a sensible partnership with Mahmudullah. Rahim executed the big shots to perfection and went onto register yet another half-century. 

A partnership of 109 runs laid the foundation for a grandstand finish. Rahim was eventually dismissed on 84 of 87 deliveries by Lakshan Sandakan. Mahmudullah also looked in great touch completing a well-deserved half-century. 

Eventually, it was Afif Hussain who provided a much-needed impetus towards the last few overs. The southpaw breezed his way to 27 of just 22 deliveries which eventually propelled Bangladesh to a score of 257 in their allotted 50 overs. The score proved to be enough in the end as the hosts took a 1-0 lead. 

Brief Scores

Bangladesh 257/6 in 50 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 84, Mahmudullah 54, Tamim Iqbal 52, Dhananjaya de Silva 3/45) 

Sri Lanka 224 all-out in 48.1 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 74, Mehidy Hasan 4/30, Mustafizur Rahman 3/34) 

Bangladesh won by 33 runs