Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets in their first Group-1 match of the ICC T20 World Cup at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Put in to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a fighting total of 171 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka reached the winning spot making 172 for the loss of five wickets in 18.5 overs.
Bangladesh made a superb start with openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das added together 40 runs in the opening stand before Liton Das (16) was caught at the mid-off by Dashun Shanaka off Lahiru Kumara.
After Liton’s dismissal, Shakib Al Hasan (10) was bowled out by Chamika Karunaratne when the Tigers’ total was 56 for the loss of two wickets. After Shakib’s departure, opener Mohammad Naim and Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the damage contributing together 73 runs in the third wicket stand before Mohammad Naim was caught& bowled by Binura Fernando when Bangladesh’s score was 129 for the loss of three wickets.
Naim top-scored with 62 runs. He cracked six fours in his 52-ball innings.
Then, Afif Hossain (7) was unfortunately run out by Lahiru Kumara when Bangladesh’s total was 150 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 57 runs. He struck five fours and two sixes in his superb innings.
Mahmudullah Riyad remained unbeaten with 10 runs.
Karunaratne, Fernando, and Kumara took one wicket each for 12, 27 and 29 runs respectively.
Later, one-down Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Pathum Nissanka played the key role for the victory of the islanders. Bangladesh fielders dropped three vital catches, which was one of the cause of their defeat.
Asalanka remained unbeaten with 80 runs. His 49-ball innings had five sixes and five fours.
Rajapaksa made 53 from 31 balls featuring three fours and three sixes.
Nissanka scored 24 from 21 deliveries with one four and one six.
Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed bagged two wickets each instead of 17 and 29 runs respectively.
Mohammad Saifuddin took one wicket for 38 runs.
