T20 World Cup 2021: SL vs BAN Review – Sri Lanka complete a heroic chase against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka started their Super 12 campaign on an impressive note beating Bangladesh by five wickets in a comprehensive style at the Sharjah Cricket Ground on October 24. Bangladesh will now have to sit back and evaluate what all things they need to figure out moving ahead while Sri Lanka will realise that tougher challenges await them after this clash.

Earlier in the afternoon, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first. Bangladesh opener Mohammad Naim held one end by making a wonderful 62 runs from 52 balls. He found good support from no.4 batter Mushfiqur Rahim as the pair put on a partnership of 73 runs. Once Naim was dismissed, Rahim took on the charge ending with 57 runs from 37 balls. With the help of cameos through the order, Bangladesh finished on 171 for 4.

Bangladesh got an early breakthrough but Charith Asalanka who was in superb form batted well. Pathum Nissanka made 24 runs from 21 balls. But Bangladesh managed to get back in the game with three quick wickets. Asalanka then produced the match-winning partnership which took Sri Lanka from 79 for 4 to 165 for 5, when Bhanuka Rajapaska got out after playing a good innings of 53 runs from 31 balls. Asalanka saw off the chase with his unbeaten 80 runs from 49 balls. Sri Lanka won the match with seven balls to spare.

Top performers:

Charith Asalanka: Coming out of bat at no. 3 in the first over, Asalanka played a superb innings with the bat. He hit five sixes and five fours during his knock and managed to not let the pressure off on the Sri Lankan batters. His team would want more of these types of knocks from him.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa: Another talented young batter from Sri Lanka managed to build a great partnership for his team which didn’t allow Bangladesh to succeed in keeping the pressure on his side. He hit three fours and three sixes and was fantastic in the chase.

Personal achievements/records:

• Charith Asalanka equalled the record for most sixes (5 today) by any Sri Lankan batter in a T20 World Cup game. He equalled Jehan Mubarak and Angelo Mathews.
• Shakib Al Hasan now has the most wickets in the T20 World Cup with 41 wickets. He went past Shahid Afridi’s 39 wickets.

Way ahead:

Bangladesh will now play England on October 27 while Sri Lanka will face Australia on October 28.