BANGLADESH TOUR OF SRI LANKA, 2025
Litton Das top-scored for Bangladesh with 76 © AFP
Bangladesh bounced back to level the series 1-1 against Sri Lanka with a comprehensive 83-run win. Led by captain Litton Das’ 76 and a cameo of 48 from Shammim Hossain, Bangladesh scored 177 before an all-round bowling performance had the Sri Lankans all out for 94. The two teams will play the series decider in three days time at Colombo.
Sri Lanka began strongly with the ball, dismissing the Bangladesh openers in the first two overs. Nuwan Thushara saw the back of Parvez Hossain Emon, with a full inswinger which crashed into the stumps while Binura Fernando got Tanzid Hasan to nick one to Kusal Perera. At 7 for 2, Bangladesh were staring down the barrel.
Bangladesh took to Dasun Shanaka in the fourth over as Towhid Hridoy tried to begin a counter-attack with a four and a six. But, Litton Das was struggling to get going at the start. The keeper-batter nailed a six down the ground to take the side to 39 for after the powerplay. Shanaka continued to be given treatment by the Bangladesh batters, as Litton helped a short delivery over fine-leg for six which also brought up the 50-run stand. The Bangladesh captain was lucky to survive a stumping chance in the 10th over as things continued to go Bangladesh’s way, as Hridoy nailed a slog sweep for four.
But, Sri Lanka struck back quickly with a double-strike by Binura Fernando – of Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Shamim Hossain and Litton added further impetus to the innings with three boundaries across seven balls. Litton brought up his 12th T20I 50 with a six but got another reprieve as Maheesh Theekshana dropped a regulation catch. He hit a six off the next ball, while Thushara was drilled for a four and a six by Shammim.
Litton fell after adding 10 more runs before edging one to short third-man. Two back-to-back run-outs saw both Jaker Ali and the well-set Shammim, on 48, depart. Mohammad hit a four off the last ball to take the visitors to 177 for 7, with the last 10 overs yielding 108 runs.
After a blistering powerplay by the Sri Lankans in the first T20I, the two openers were off the blocks with 19 off the first 10 balls of the innings. But Shammim inflicted a run-out with a direct-hit to see the back of Kusal Mendis. Kusal Perera fell in the next over with a cut straight to point off Shoriful Islam. The left-armer picked up the wicket off Avishka Fernando in the next over before Saifuddin added to the hosts’ PowerPlay woes with the wicket of captain Charith Asalanka.
The game was sealed in the powerplay as Bangladesh continued to pick up regular wickets of the Sri Lankans. Pathum Nissanka, who witnessed all the carnage from the other end, fell to Rishad Hossain for 32. The legspinner picked up Chamika Karunaratne two balls later to leave the hosts in further trouble.
Mehidy picked up the last threat, Shanaka. Saifuddin picked up Vandersay while Theekshana fell to Mustafizur. Rishad ended proceedings with the stumping of Binura Fernando, as Bangladesh sealed a massive win.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 177/7 in 20 overs (Litton Das 76, Shammim Hossain 48; Binura Fernando 3-31) beat Sri Lanka 94 in 15.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 32, Dasun Shanaka 20; Rishad Hossain 3-18, Shoriful Islam 2-12) by 83 runs
© Cricbuzz
