Bangladesh need 166 to level T20 series against Sri Lanka

Bangladesh bowlers came up with disciplined effort to restrict Sri Lanka to 165-5 in the second T20 International today at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

With dew around, the target gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope to level the three-match series, after losing the first game by three wickets.

Kamindu Mendhi made team-high 37 while Kusal Mendis scored 36. Angelo Mathews added 32 not out and stand-in captain Charith Asalanka chipped-in-with a typically aggressive 28 off 14.

Sri Lanka needed eight balls to open the scoreboard after put into bat first with pacer Shoriful Islam bowling a maiden over. Taskin then broke through, giving a struggling Avishka Fernando a seven-ball duck but two Mendis’—Kamindu and Kusal—formed a dangerous partnership, which put Sri Lanka in the track of yet another big total.

As they appeared to cause more havoc, the breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Occasional bowler Soumya Sarkar dismissed Kusal Mendi after he hit two fours and three sixes in his 22 ball-36, ending the 66 runs partnership. This was Kusal’s first knock less then 50 after three innings against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh then got two wickets in quick succession to take the baton of the game with Kamindu Mendis being trapped run out while Sadeera Samarawickrama, the half-centurion of the first match giving return catch to Mustafizur Rahman after scoring 7.

Asalanka who smote six sixes in his 21 ball-44 not out in the last game got into groove quickly as Sri Lanka pressed hard. However offspiner Mahedi Hasan removed him before he did more carnage to bring the side back into the contest again.

Bangladesh bowlers then did well to deny Dasun Shanaka and Mathews any big hit in the death overs, limiting Sri Lanka to a total that looked achievable with ease.

Shanaka and Mathews put on 53 runs in an unbeaten sixth wicket but played 37 balls. Shanaka was not out on 20 off 18 with one four and one six. (BSS)