Bangladesh lost by 3 runs in a breathtaking match

Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 3 runs in the first match of the three-match T20 series. After Kushal Mendis and Sadera Samarawickrama's pair of half-centuries, Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets in Charith Asalanka's stormy batting and got a huge collection of 206 runs. 

Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals in pursuit of the target. However, after Mahmudullah's half-century, the hosts could not avoid defeat even by young sensation Zaker Ali Anik's stormy 68 runs. In the end, the Tigers stopped at 203 runs.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and decided to field first at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday (March 5). Sri Lanka lost the wicket in the first over. Shariful Islam sent Aviska Fernando back to the pavilion with the second ball of the innings. The 4-run Lankan opener was caught in the palms of wicketkeeper Liton Das while driving his off-side ball into the cover region.

Taskin Ahmed gave Bangladesh a breakthrough again in the fifth over. Kamindu Mendis was caught by Soumya Sarkar at mid-wicket as he bowled the ball outside his offside. 

His innings came with 19 runs off 14 balls. The Lankans were under some pressure after losing two wickets for 37 runs. However, Kushal Mendis and Sadira Samavikrama pulled off a disaster in the 3rd wicket partnership.

Mendis scored a half century on the way to make this pair. Rishad Hossain broke their pair of 96 runs. Mendis left the field in a controlled catch by Mahmudullah Riyad at long off while blowing him away. This opener scored 59 runs from 36 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes. 

Then Sri Lanka went ahead with the bat of Sadira Samarawickrama and acting captain Charith Asalanka. Samavikramao scored a half century by beating the Bangladeshi bowlers. He picked up a half century in this pair.

In the end, Samarawickrama was unbeaten on 61 runs off 48 balls. This is his highest run in T20 career. At the other end, Asalanka was unbeaten on 44 runs with six sixes off 21 balls. Shariful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain took 1 wicket each for Bangladesh.

Chasing the target, Liton Das returned to Angelo Mathews in the first over. The opener returned for zero runs by catching Kushal Mendis behind the wicket in the third ball of the innings. Soumya Sarkar also returned in the fourth over. 

Charith Asalanka was caught by Charith Asalanka at mid-off when Binura was bowled by Fernando. He scored 12 runs off 11 balls before returning. Bangladesh lost their third wicket within 30 runs. Tawhid Hridoy, who opened the innings with a six, also returned with a behind-the-wicket catch from Mathews. He got 8 runs off 5 balls.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto returned in the ninth over. The Bangladesh captain scored 20 off 22 balls and returned to Mathisha Pathirana. Mathews also took a calm catch at square leg. Bangladesh's run-chasing mission got off to a good start after losing four wickets for 68 runs. 

Mahmudullah Riyad started the rampage. Zaker Ali made a partnership of 47 runs with Anik. In this pair, Mahmudullah scored a half century in just 27 balls. However, playing in an aggressive manner, he went back to Mahish Thikshanar.

He scored 54 off 31 balls with two fours and four sixes. After Mahmudullah returned with a long on catch, Zaker took the lead for Bangladesh. He quickly formed a partnership of 65 runs with Sheikh Mehdi. In this pair, however, Zaker's contribution is more. But Mehdi's innings of 16 runs off 11 balls also gave Bangladesh a boost before the team was reduced to 180 runs. Zaker scored 68 off 34 balls with four fours and six sixes before returning in the last over. Taskin on strike was able to take only 1 run when 5 runs were required to win from the last ball. At the end of the scheduled 20 overs, the Tigers lost 8 wickets and were stuck at 203 runs.