RIFKA ZIYARD
COLOMBO – Magnificent century by Mushfiqur Rahim and all round disciplined bowling effort by the Bangladesh bowlers secured a 103 run win for Bangladesh in the second one day international in the Bangabandhu ODI Series 2021. Bangladesh reached a historical landmark securing their first one day international cricket series win against Sri Lanka in 9 outings. Previously, Sri Lanka had won 6 and drawn 2 one day international series against Bangladesh.
It was only the rain, if at all, that could unsettle Mushfiqur Rahman while he continued to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers in this match too with disciplined and composed batting. He scored 125 runs in total with 85 runs out of it in ones and twos navigating the Bangladesh team score to reach 246. The 34-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim was chirpy, energetic behind the wicket encouraging the Bangladeshi bowlers to be on top of the game. His all-round display of exemplary talent in batting and wicket keeping was enough to drain any hope of Sri Lanka levelling the series. Mushfiqur Rahim was adjudged the player of the match.
In the afternoon, the Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal won the toss for the second consecutive time in the series and elected to bat against Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh eyeing a win and no doubt keen to take a lead in the series made two changes by including debutant left-arm quick Shoriful Islam and batsman Mosaddek Hossain in the Playing XI. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka fielded an unchanged Playing XI.
Taskin Ahamed played as a concussion substitute for Mohammad Saifuddin who took a vital blow while batting and Ahamed becomes the first concussion substitute in a one-day international cricket match.
Sri Lankan bowlers started off well with Dushmantha Chameera taking 2 quick wickets of the Bangladesh skipper and Shakib Al Hasan when the score was only 15 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah continued their glorious partnership with a 87 run partnership for the 5th wicket to navigate and stabilize the innings. Mahmudullah was caught by Kusal Perera off the bowling of Lakshan Sandakan for 41 runs when the Bangladesh score was at 161 for 5 wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim clearly depicting that he is ‘Mr Dependable’ for the host team went on to reach his 8th ODI century and top scored with 125 runs (including 10 boundaries) off 127 balls allowing Bangladesh to reach a respectable score of 246. Bangladesh was bowled out in the 48th over and the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka were Dushmantha Chameera and Lakshan Sandakan with 3 wickets each and Isuru Udana with 2 wickets recovery. Mustafizur Rahman gave away only 16 runs off 6 overs. There was no extra runs given away by the Bangladeshi bowlers ensuring accuracy at all times. Sri Lankan captain Kusal Perera only made 14 runs and was the first wicket to fall when the total was only 24 runs. Disciplined and accurate bowling display by the Bangladeshi bowlers frustrated the Sri Lankan top order, choking them for runs with regular wickets. At the end of 30 overs, sri Lanka was 106 for 6 wickets with a required run rate of 7 an over. Pick of the bowlers were Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman with 3 wickets each. Mehidy Hasan ranked no 5 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings only gave away 28 runs in 10 overs and he bowled out Wanindu Hasaranga for just 6 runs choking Sri Lanka of any hope of recovery.
At the end of 38 overs Sri Lanka was 126 for 9 wickets. Even, a heavy pouring of rain could not wipe away the disappointing batting performance by Sri Lanka. Eventually, Sri Lanka posted only 141 runs for 9 wickets at the end of 40 overs handing over a 103-run victory to Bangladesh enabling them to post their first bilateral series win against Sri Lanka.
The 3rd and the final one day international will be held on 28th May 2021.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera(w/c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera
Bangladesh Playing XI: Tamim Iqbal(c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam. Taskin Ahamed played as a concussion substitute.
