DUBAI: A last over heroic batting from Asitha Fernando saw Sri Lanka winning by 2 wickets concluding their second highest run chase in T20. In a knock out match, Sri Lanka chased 183 runs and won by 2 wickets with 4 balls remaining and qualified for the Super 4 and will join Afghanistan and India.
Bangladesh put together a massive 183 runs for the loss of 7 wickets after being invited to bat by Sri Lanka. It was a team effort by the Bangladeshi batsmen with Mehidy Hasan (38 runs off 26 balls) , A Hossain ( 39 runs off 22 balls) , Mahamadullah (27 runs off 22 balls) all contributing towards the score of 183 runs. Chamika Karunaratne and Wanindu Hasaranga picked up 2 wickets each.
Sri Lanka started off slow and steady in their chase with an opening partnership of 45 runs between P Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Ebadot Hossain picked up 2 quick wickets of Nissanka (20 runs off 19 balls) and Asalanka for just one run in his first over. At the end of 10 overs, Sri Lanka was in a spot of bother with 80 runs but with 4 wickets down. Kusal Mendis hit a well deserved half century and held the Sri Lankan innings together but fell victim to M Rahman after hitting 60 runs off 37 balls. With 5 overs to the end, Sri Lanka needed 47 runs with 5 wickets in hand and was heading towards a close finish. Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka scored 45 runs off 33 balls but fell to Mahedi Hasan leaving Sri Lanka needing 25 runs in the last 2 overs with only 3 wickets in hand. Chamika Karunaratne hit a quick fire 16 runs but was run out by a throw by Shakib Al Hasan. It was Asitha Fernando who saw Sri Lanka home with 10 runs off 3 balls in the last over of the match. Sri Lanka successfully chased the target in a thriller match and reached 184 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 19.2 overs and now qualify for the Super 4 round.
Pakistan will play Hong Kong on Friday at Sharjah cricket stadium. (RZ) Image credit : ESPN cricinfo
