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Home » Live Cricket Score » Nidahas Tri-Series, 2018 » commentary

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Live Commentary, Match 6, Nidahas Tri-Series, 2018, March 16, 2018

SL 159/7 (20)
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets
BAN 160/8 (19.5)
Match over
Sri Lanka Inning Bangladesh Inning
0.0 : Remember the first match between these two teams in this series? Hello and welcome to a virtual semi-final clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The visitors will be high on confidence coming into this game even though they lost their last game against India. Also, with the return of Shakib Al Hasan, there will be a different vibe in the dressing room. The hosts on the flip side, won their first game of the series but never managed to cross the finish line on a winning note post that. An impor
PITCH REPORT - Brett Lee is in the middle for the pitch report. He says that it is a beautiful wicket and looks like a belter. He adds by saying that there is a good cover of grass but very few cracks. He feels that it is a good pitch for batting and the ball will come nicely to the bat. Ends by saying that 180-190 should be a good score.
TOSS - Shakib Al Hasan calls tails, and tails it is! Bangladesh will bowl first!
Shakib Al Hasan says it is a good wicket and reckons that it will remain the same for 40 overs. Continues saying that they would like to restrict the Lankans and then chase down the total. On his injury, he replies that he is fit but just lacks match practice.
Thisara Perera, the Sri Lankan skipper says that he is happy to bat first as he feels that the pitch is a bit slow. States that they want to put on a big score and then defend it. Further adds that they have taken positives from the previous games and are up for this crunch game.
Sri Lanka have made two changes to their side - Amila Aponso and Isuru Udana come in for Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera. The visitors, on the other side, have made just one change. Abu Hider makes way for skipper Shakib Al Hasan.
The players have made their way out for their respective national anthems. We are not far away from the start of play.
The Sri Lankan pair of Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis have made their way in the middle. The fielders have taken their positions. Shakib Al Hasan will bowl with the new ball. A slip in place. Here we go...
0.1 : Al Hasan to D Gunathilaka, Starts off with a loopy ball around off, Gunathilaka gets behind the ball and defends it.
0.2 : Al Hasan to D Gunathilaka, Fuller this time, Gunathilaka leans forward and drives this to mid off for nothing.
0.3 : Al Hasan to D Gunathilaka, Good start for Shakib. Three dots in a row. Flatter ball, around off, Gunathilaka cuts it to the fielder at point.
0.4 : Al Hasan to D Gunathilaka, First run on the board. Bowls this a bit short, Gunathilaka rocks back and punches this through mid off for a run.
0.5 : Al Hasan to K Mendis, Wide. Tosses this down the leg and Mendis goes for the flick but misses. Wide signallad by the umpire.
Al Hasan to K Mendis, Darts this quicker in line of the stumps, Mendis is happy to play it back to the bowler.
0.6 : Al Hasan to K Mendis, Outside off, Mendis drives this through covers and quickly moves to the other end for a quick single. The fielder there has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses his aim.
Rubel Hossain will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : R Hossain to K Mendis, Comes steaming in and plays it towards mid-wicket for one.
An appeal for a run out has been referred upstairs. Bangladesh don't look excited. Let's see.
1.2 : R Hossain to D Gunathilaka, NOT OUT! Length outside off, Gunathilaka cuts it behind backward point and picks up a couple of runs. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end as Mendis was jogging back. The umpire doesn't take a chance and goes upstairs. Replays show that Mendis was well in.
1.3 : R Hossain to D Gunathilaka, Around off, Gunathilaka works it around the corner and picks up a run.
1.4 : R Hossain to K Mendis, Length in line of the stumps, Mendis stays back and blocks it.
1.5 : R Hossain to K Mendis, FOUR! Short ball and Mendis goes for a flat bat shot. He doesn't time it well though. The fielder at mid off looked interested for a moment but it goes over him for the first boundary.
1.6 : R Hossain to K Mendis, FOUR! A boundary to end the over. Overpitched ball on middle and leg. Mendis works it through mid-wicket in the gap. The fielder hares behind it but only comes second best.
2.1 : Al Hasan to D Gunathilaka, OUT c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan. Sri Lanka have lost their first wicket.
0.0 : Kusal Perera is the new batsman in.
2.2 : Al Hasan to K Mendis, Short ball outside off, Mendis goes back and punches it on the off side for a single.
2.3 : Al Hasan to K Perera, FOUR! Very good looking shot. Short again, around off, Perera gives room and pushes it through cover-point region for a boundary.
2.4 : Al Hasan to K Perera, The batsman has driven it through mid-on. They pick up a single.
2.5 : Al Hasan to K Mendis, Flatter ball on the off, Mendis cuts it to the fielder at point.
2.6 : Al Hasan to K Mendis, Fuller this time, Mendis plays it for the mid-wicket fielder to collect.
Mustafizur Rahman comes into the attack now.
3.1 : M Rahman to K Perera, Angling down the leg side, on a good length, Perera fails to flick and it goes off his thigh pad to short fine leg. They steal a leg bye.
3.2 : M Rahman to K Mendis, Play and a miss! Once again Rahman serves it on a length and offers width outside off, Mendis throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
3.3 : M Rahman to K Mendis, Keeps bowling on a length outside off, Mendis this time remains on the back foot and taps it down to point.
3.4 : M Rahman to K Mendis, Back of a length ball around off, Mendis is on the back foot and chops it down to point.
3.5 : M Rahman to K Mendis, A quick off cutter, says Manjrekar on air, gets good grip and it curves away a bit after landing around off, Mendis pushes inside the line and misses.
3.6 : M Rahman to K Mendis, OUT! The batsman in form has departed! This is a big blow to Sri Lanka. Rahman with the breakthrough. Once again holds his pace back and length too, Mendis opts to pull but fails to get proper timing on it. Ends up chipping it towards Sarkar who leaps a bit and catches the ball safely over his head. Kusal Mendis failed to get going today, played a few mistimed shots earlier also but was lucky not to get out then. Bangladesh are ecstatic, what a start for them in the Po
Upul Tharanga is the new batsman. Change in bowling as well, Mehidy Hasan to bowl his off spinners.
4.1 : M Hasan to K Perera, Fires this outside off, Perera cuts it to backward point and goes to the other end.
4.2 : M Hasan to U Tharanga, Quicker again on the pads of Tharanga, who flicks it off his pads to square leg to rotate strike.
4.3 : M Hasan to K Perera, Darts this on middle stump. Perera makes room and drives it through covers for one more.
4.4 : M Hasan to U Tharanga, Loopy ball and pitched it on middle. The ball holds a bit and moves away from Tharanga who gets beaten by the spin. The keeper takes the bails off but Upul is safely inside.
4.5 : M Hasan to U Tharanga, On middle stump, Tharanga hits it back to the bowler.
4.6 : M Hasan to U Tharanga, FOUR! Flat outside off, Tharanga rocks back and cuts it perfectly in the gap between backward point and point for a boundary.
5.1 : M Rahman to K Perera, Wide. The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The Umpire signals a wide.
M Rahman to K Perera, Serves this on leg stump, Perera taps it to square leg and runs towards the other end.
5.2 : M Rahman to U Tharanga, OUT! Big mix up and Tharanga is well short on his mark. This is a big blow for the hosts and a rather soft one. Back of a length ball, Tharanga tucks it away to mid-wicket. Perera doesn't look where the ball is and takes off. Mehidy Hasan the fielder there, picks it up and runs with the ball towards the non-striker's end. Tharanga responds to his partner's call and goes for the run. Hasan gives the ball to the fizz and he completes the formalities. Tharanga is not ev
Dasun Shanaka walks in next.
5.3 : M Rahman to K Perera, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
5.4 : M Rahman to D Shanaka, OUT! In comes Shanaka and out he goes. Two wickets in an over for Bangladesh. Rahman serves this on a good length in line of the stumps, the ball swings after pitching and moves away from Shanaka. He is tentative in his shot and gets a faint edge to it. The ball settles in the gloves of Rahmin. And the men in green are all smiles. Shanaka won't even need a shower after this.
Jeevan Mendis joins Perera in the middle.
5.5 : M Rahman to J Mendis, Length again, Mendis blocks this from the crease.
5.6 : M Rahman to J Mendis, Wide. Unusual bounce. Too high to worry the batsman! Wide signalled by the umpire.
M Rahman to J Mendis, 2 Leg byes.
Slight halt in play. Seems something has gone in Perera's eyes. He is washing his face. Wearing a helmet can help him a bit too, not completely though in this case.
6.1 : M Hasan to K Perera, Shortish around off, holding up a bit, Perera gets back and mistimes his punch to covers.
6.2 : M Hasan to K Perera, A late cut on this occasion but he finds the fielder at backward point.
6.3 : M Hasan to K Perera, Flatter and shorter, on middle, Kusal gets deep inside the crease and strokes it through covers for one.
6.4 : M Hasan to J Mendis, Slower through the air this time, tossed up and landing full on middle, Jeevan lunges and defends it back.
6.5 : M Hasan to J Mendis, Strides forward to a loopy full ball again and pushes it with gentle hands to covers. Not in the gap.
6.6 : M Hasan to J Mendis, A touch flatter this time, length remains full, Jeevan opens the face of the bat and places his shot through point for a run.
Mahmudullah is into the attack.
7.1 : Mahmudullah to J Mendis, Around off, Mendis gets an edge towards backward point for one.
7.2 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, Darts this around leg, Perera taps it around the corner and gives his partner the strike.
7.3 : Mahmudullah to J Mendis, Wide. The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The umpire signals a wide.
Mahmudullah to J Mendis, Quicker again, Mendis gets behind the ball and blocks it.
7.4 : Mahmudullah to J Mendis, That kept low. Mendis goes for the big sweep and the ball goes under his bat in the keeper's glove.
7.5 : Mahmudullah to J Mendis, Mendis punches this ball to the off.
7.6 : Mahmudullah to J Mendis, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
8.1 : M Hasan to J Mendis, OUT! Sri Lanka are losing wickets faster than they change their captains. Hasan gives this air around off. Mendis reaches for it and goes for the sweep. He sweeps this from the off and his bottom hand comes of the handle. The ball flies to short fine leg and Mustafizur Rahman.
0.0 : Thisara Perera is next to bat.
8.2 : M Hasan to T Perera, Tossed up, Perera eases it to mid-wicket for a run.
8.3 : M Hasan to K Perera, Around off, Perera pushes this through covers for one more.
8.4 : M Hasan to T Perera, No run.
8.5 : M Hasan to T Perera, No run.
8.6 : M Hasan to T Perera, No run.
9.1 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, FOUR.
0.0 : An appeal for LBW is taken up.
9.2 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, 1 run.
9.3 : Mahmudullah to T Perera, 1 run.
9.4 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, 1 run.
9.5 : Mahmudullah to T Perera, 2 runs.
9.6 : Mahmudullah to T Perera, 1 run.
Rubel Hossain is into the attack.
10.1 : R Hossain to T Perera, Beaten! Full and outside off, Perera swishes and misses.
10.2 : R Hossain to T Perera, Another play and a miss outside off for Thisara. He needs to watch the ball before swinging his bat.
10.3 : R Hossain to T Perera, Better this time. Calmly works a length ball to mid-wicket and takes a run.
10.4 : R Hossain to K Perera, FOUR! Excellent shot, by far the best of the match, so far. Rubel goes short and Kusal swivels on the back foot with the pull shot. Makes superb connection and sends it screaming to the deep backward square leg fence.
10.5 : R Hossain to K Perera, FOUR! Wow, even better. The bowler overpitches this time, over-correcting his length and it's on middle. Perera brings down a straight bat and creams it down the ground for a glorious boundary. Surely this is a better pitch than the scoreline suggests.
10.6 : R Hossain to K Perera, Smart batting, gets a full ball around middle and tickles it to mid-wicket for a run.
11.1 : M Hasan to K Perera, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
11.2 : M Hasan to T Perera, Flighted full ball on off, defended off the front foot.
Run out appeal! Direct hits are always interesting. Seems touch and go at the non-striker's end. The umpire has referred it upstairs...
11.3 : M Hasan to T Perera, NOT OUT! Kusal has dived his way home. A shortish ball on middle, Thisara goes on the back foot and works it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep has to run across to collect the ball and seeing that the batsmen attempt for the second run. The fielder comes up with a direct hit at the bowler's end as Kusal dives in. They appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. The replays roll in and it shows that the dive has saved KP! Sri Lanka can take a huge sigh of relief.
11.4 : M Hasan to T Perera, Fires this one in, on middle, Thisara helps it to mid-wicket and crosses.
11.5 : M Hasan to K Perera, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
11.6 : M Hasan to K Perera, Stays on the back foot and punches it down the ground for a run.
The Fizz is back on to bowl. His figures for now are two overs, two wickets and just four runs.
12.1 : M Rahman to K Perera, Back of a length ball, Kusal plays it through mid-wicket and quickly comes back for the second.
12.2 : M Rahman to K Perera, SIX! Bangs this short and Kusal pulls it high and handsome over mid-wicket for the first maximum.
12.3 : M Rahman to K Perera, FOUR! Follows the six with a boundary. Short again and this time outside off. Kusal flashes hard at it and the ball flies over backward point to the fence.
12.4 : M Rahman to K Perera, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
12.5 : M Rahman to T Perera, FOUR! Easy pickings for Thisara. Rahman digs this one short too. Perera makes room and hits it in the vacant deep backward point region for a boundary.
12.6 : M Rahman to T Perera, Rahman bowls this short again. Perera flat bats this over mid off over a run.
13.1 : Mahmudullah to T Perera, Flighted ball, Thisara works it through mid-wicket for one.
13.2 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, Kusal hits this back to the bowler.
13.3 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, In the gap this time. Kusal plays this with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second.
13.4 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, How did that miss the stump? Flat ball on his off pole, Kusal goes for the sweep and the ball just misses his off stump.
13.5 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, Short ball, Kusal gets a bottom edge to this and the ball goes to the bowler.
13.6 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Soumya Sarkar comes in for his first over.
14.1 : S Sarkar to K Perera, FOUR! Interesting change of bowlers. Slow ball outside off, Kusal cuts it past point for a boundary. This brings up the fifty stand for the home team.
14.2 : S Sarkar to K Perera, Fifty for Kusal! Taps this towards mid-wicket and picks up a run. His 10th T20I fifty. He continues his rich vein of form.
14.3 : S Sarkar to T Perera, Knuckle ball from Sarkar, outside off. Perera goes for a big heavy but gets beaten.
14.4 : S Sarkar to T Perera, Back of a length ball, Thisara punches this off his back foot on the off for a couple.
14.5 : S Sarkar to T Perera, Short ball, Thisara pushes this through mid on for one.
14.6 : S Sarkar to K Perera, Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.
15.1 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, Kusal works this through mid-wicket and comes back for the second.
15.2 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, FOUR! Great improvisation! Serves this on leg, Kusal reveres sweeps this through backward point for a boundary.
15.3 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
15.4 : Mahmudullah to T Perera, Another couple of runs through mid-wicket. Thisara taps it there and charges back for two.
15.5 : Mahmudullah to T Perera, Back of a length ball, Thisara punches this towards mid on for a run.
15.6 : Mahmudullah to K Perera, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Mustafizur Rahman to bowl his last over.
16.1 : M Rahman to K Perera, Back of a length ball, Kusal tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
16.2 : M Rahman to T Perera, Short ball, Thisara pulls this to square leg for a brace.
16.3 : M Rahman to T Perera, SIX! Short ball, Thisara well in control of the pull and hits it over deep square leg for the second maximum.
16.4 : M Rahman to T Perera, SIX! Beautiful shot from Perera! Slow ball in line of the stumps, Thisara chips it over the bowlers head for a biggie.
16.5 : M Rahman to T Perera, Bangs this short again, Thisara pulls this front of square for another two runs.
16.6 : M Rahman to T Perera, Dot ball to end the over, but a very good one for the hosts. Slow ball outside off, Thisara misses his big shot.
Rubel Hossain comes back into the attack.
17.1 : R Hossain to K Perera, Kusal guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.
17.2 : R Hossain to T Perera, FOUR! Pitched up ball, Thisara hits it hard towards long on for a boundary.
17.3 : R Hossain to T Perera, Drags his length back, Thisara pulls this towards square leg for a brace.
17.4 : R Hossain to T Perera, Full this time, Thisara drives this in the gap through covers and a poor throw from the deep enables them to come back for the second.
17.5 : R Hossain to T Perera, Driven through the covers by the batsman for a rare dot.
17.6 : R Hossain to T Perera, Thisara drives this through covers for one.
Soumya Sarkar comes for his second over.
18.1 : S Sarkar to T Perera, On the pads of Thisara, who misses his flick and they steal a leg bye as the ball goes towards square leg.
18.2 : S Sarkar to K Perera, OUT! Finally a wicket for Bangladesh! The partnership is broken but has the damage been done? A change of bowling has done the trick. Slow ball outside off, Kusal reaches for it outside his off stump and hits it towards square leg. The ball takes an edge of the bat and skies towards deep square leg. Mehidy Hasan gets under it and takes a good catch.
Isuru Udana is the new man in.
18.3 : S Sarkar to T Perera, SIX! Pitched up and Thisara lofts it over long on for a biggie. Sabbir Rahman the fielder there was ahead of the boundary line. He jumps for it but the ball is well over him. Had he been on the rope, might have been a different story.
18.4 : S Sarkar to T Perera, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
18.5 : S Sarkar to I Udana, In the air...but safe. Udana lofts this over mid on and comes back for the third as Mahmudullah slides near the rope to parry it towards his teammate who didn't read the game well.
18.6 : S Sarkar to T Perera, Wide. This one is down the leg side and the batsman leaves it alone. The umpire has signalled a wide.
S Sarkar to T Perera, Another loft over mid on. Thisara will keep strike for the final over.
19.1 : R Hossain to T Perera, FOUR! Goes for the yorker and gives a low full toss for Thisara who hits it over covers for a boundary.
19.2 : R Hossain to T Perera, OUT! Perera falls in the last over trying to up the ante. Slow ball around off, Thisara is early in his shot and the ball skies towards mid off. Tamim moves to his left from extra cover and takes a juggling catch. A well played innings comes to an end.
19.3 : R Hossain to I Udana, Pitched up, Udana lofts it over mid on for a brace.
19.4 : R Hossain to I Udana, Right on the money, Udana hits it through covers for a single.
19.5 : R Hossain to A Dananjaya, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. One run added to the total.
19.6 : R Hossain to I Udana, Good comeback from Rubel after going for a boundary in the first over. Gets the yorker right, Udana plays it towards mid off and manages just a single. SRI LANKA END WITH 159/7 in the 20 overs.
Great recovery from the hosts. After a very good start by Bangladesh they have just not put the right finishing touches. They dominated in the Powerplay picking up 4 wickets for just 35 runs. The Perera's then made sure Sri Lanka get past the 150 mark. Thisara and Kusal both got to their fifties to give their bowler's something to bowl at.
0.0 : Back for the chase! Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das are the openers for Bangladesh. 160 in 120 legal balls, that's the target to reach the final. Nuwan Pradeep to begin proceedings. Here we go...
0.1 : N Pradeep to T Iqbal, Short in length outside off, Tamim cracks it square of the wicket on the off side but finds the point fielder.
0.2 : N Pradeep to T Iqbal, FOUR! This time he goes the aerial route. Latches onto a fuller length ball outside off and slices it over backward point. Not from the middle of the bat but it still races through to the fence.
0.3 : N Pradeep to T Iqbal, Slowness off the pitch is quite evident on this delivery. It's on a length outside off, Tamim is a bit early into the shot as he tries to punch it through covers. Gets a bottom edge as it rolls to mid-wicket.
0.4 : N Pradeep to T Iqbal, FOUR! Lovely shot! Pradeep keeps his line straight and drops it on a length, Tamim unfurls a beautiful straight drive past the bowler. The mid on fielder has no chance.
0.5 : N Pradeep to T Iqbal, Clips a full ball off his pads but finds the mid-wicket fielder.
0.6 : N Pradeep to L Das, Wide! Poor over from Pradeep, this. Slides a full ball down the leg side, Liton tries flicking but misses.
N Pradeep to L Das, Beaten! What a delivery! Out of nowhere. Has been poor all over and now produces a gem. Gets extra lift from a good length outside off, straightening off the seam, Das has a tame push inside the line and misses. 10 from the first over, a good foundation for Bangladesh.
Akila Dananjaya to bowl from the other end. A slip in place.
1.1 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Flighted full ball on middle and off, Tamim defends it by drawing forward.
1.2 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Aerial but safe! Flatter and outside off, Tamim hammers it through the line, doesn't bother to keep it down and it whizzes to the deep. There is a fielder at long off and they cross.
1.3 : A Dananjaya to L Das, Tossed up ball on middle, Das plays the sweep shot but finds the short fine leg fielder.
1.4 : A Dananjaya to L Das, OUT! Akila draws first blood! He serves a flighted full ball outside off, Das spots the mid off fielder inside the ring and tries to go over him. Fails to get proper connection and lofts it straight into the hands of Thisara Perera. He is not dropping those. Litton is disappointed. He should have done better there as the idea was right and there was enough width on offer too.
Sabbir Rahman has been promoted up the order. Interesting move. They have tried him before in this position but without much success. Can he do it in this crunch game?
1.5 : A Dananjaya to S Rahman, FOUR! Nicely timed and placed. Flighted and full around middle and leg, Rahman kneels and sweeps it all along the ground through backward square leg. Sweet timing and it's a boundary.
1.6 : A Dananjaya to S Rahman, FOUR! Sabbir has come out with a positive intent. Dananjaya drags his length short and bowls it wide outside off. Sabbir rocks back and punches it superbly through covers. 9 runs and a wicket from it!
Amila Aponso is into the attack now.
2.1 : A Aponso to T Iqbal, Quicker one, full and on middle, 96 kph, it's tucked through mid-wicket for a run.
2.2 : A Aponso to S Rahman, Rahman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
2.3 : A Aponso to S Rahman, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
2.4 : A Aponso to T Iqbal, FOUR! Deft from Tamim. He fetches a length ball from around leg and nudges it past short fine leg. Nuwan Pradeep tries chasing it from inside the ring but in the process has pulled his hamstring. He is down on ground as the ball speeds past the rope.
Oh dear, this is not looking good. Nuwan Pradeep has not moved after going down and is clutching his hamstring. He is leaving the field and is not at all moving freely. Big blow to Sri Lanka if he ain't coming back to participate in this match.
2.5 : A Aponso to T Iqbal, Fires this one in, full and on middle, Tamim helps it through mid-wicket for a run.
2.6 : A Aponso to S Rahman, Aponso doesn't believe in flighting. Arrows another one in, around off, Rahman leans forward, brings his bat in front of the pads and blocks.
3.1 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Turning into the batsman from around middle, on the shorter side, Tamim uses the depth of his crease and works it to the right of the fielder in the deep mid-wicket region. A couple taken.
3.2 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Quickish and full on off, Tamim leans forward to defend but it takes the inner half of the bat and rolls in front of square leg. A single is taken.
3.3 : A Dananjaya to S Rahman, FOUR! The move to send Sabbir at number 3 has worked so far. He brings out the reverse sweep and unfurls a nicely timed shot. Amila Aponso dives all over it at short third man and concedes a boundary. That's a dot ball which has gone for a four. Not what the Lankans want.
3.4 : A Dananjaya to S Rahman, Knocks a full ball down the ground but finds the mid on fielder.
3.5 : A Dananjaya to S Rahman, OUT! Stumped and it's of the highest quality, I will tell you why... A well tossed up off spinner landing around off, Sabbir jumps out of the crease to flick but misses and the ball spins back in to hit him on the pads. Then it goes behind and in spite of the deflection and also being blindsided for a moment, Kusal Perera manages to gather the ball and break the stumps. It's an excellent piece of stumping. On closer look in the replays, Kusal there didn't gather the
The batsman going through a purple patch, Mushfiqur Rahim arrives in the middle.
3.6 : A Dananjaya to M Rahim, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
4.1 : A Aponso to M Rahim, Flatter and outside off, played down to point.
4.2 : A Aponso to M Rahim, Gets forward and flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.
4.3 : A Aponso to M Rahim, FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up ball around off, Rahim makes room, advances down the track and clobbers it over mid off for a cracking boundary.
4.4 : A Aponso to M Rahim, Rahim has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
4.5 : A Aponso to M Rahim, Stifled appeal for an lbw! Quicker delivery, on middle and leg, Rahim fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. The bowler lets out a muted appeal knowing that would have missed the leg stump.
4.6 : A Aponso to M Rahim, Bat on ball this time as Rahim tickles it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Thisara Perera to bowl now...
5.1 : T Perera to M Rahim, Fuller and straighter, Rahim helps it through mid-wicket and collects a run.
5.2 : T Perera to T Iqbal, Keeps it full and around off, Tamim strides forward in defense.
5.3 : T Perera to T Iqbal, Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Tamim stays back and dabs it down to third man for one.
5.4 : T Perera to M Rahim, Almost an lbw, had he missed! A length ball around off, Rahim gets across the stumps and flicks it in front of square leg for a couple of runs.
5.5 : T Perera to M Rahim, The batsman guides it to third man. They pick up a single.
5.6 : T Perera to T Iqbal, FOUR! Quality shot! Width on offer outside off, a bit on the shorter side, Tamim eases himself on the back foot and carves it through backward point for a boundary. 50/2 in the Powerplay, a decent beginning by Bangladesh.
Danushka Gunathilaka to roll his arm now.
6.1 : D Gunathilaka to M Rahim, Tossed up, Rahim goes for the flick but gets an leading edge towards covers for one.
6.2 : D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, Outside off, Tamim guides it to the short third man fielder.
6.3 : D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, On the pads of Tamim, who misses his flick and the ball hits him on the pads.
6.4 : D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, Wide. The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. Wide signalled by the umpire.
D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, 5 Wides! Poor bowling from Gunathilaka! Strays this down the leg again. This time way too far for anyone to make contact. Darts this down and the ball races away to the fine leg boundary.
D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, Great piece of fielding from Gunathilaka. Bowls this full on middle, Tamim hits it to the bowlers left who dives to stop the runs.
6.5 : D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
6.6 : D Gunathilaka to M Rahim, Rahim helps this towards mid-wicket to retain strike.
Change of ends of Akila Dhananjaya.
7.1 : A Dananjaya to M Rahim, Floated ball, Rahim plays this through mid-wicket for one more.
7.2 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Full again, Tamim drives this through mid off to rotate strike.
7.3 : A Dananjaya to M Rahim, Bangladesh are switching ends well. Another run through mid-wicket.
7.4 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, SIX! Tossed up and Tamim charges down and plays an inside-out shot high over covers for half a dozen.
7.5 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
7.6 : A Dananjaya to M Rahim, Rahim drives this to mid off for a dot.
Jeevan Mendis to bowl now.
8.1 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Full ball, Tamim hits it back to the bowler.
8.2 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
8.3 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Straight in line of the stumps, Tamim gets behind it and blocks it.
8.4 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Run-out chance goes begging. Tamim drives this towards mid off and quickly moves to the other end. The fielder there collects it and has a shy at the stumps. Had he hit, Tamim was well shot, even if Mendis collected that, Tamim would have been short.
8.5 : J Mendis to M Rahim, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
8.6 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Pitched up, Tamim pushes it towards mid off for a run to end the over. Just three of it.
Another change. Isuru Udana is the seventh bowler to bowl now.
9.1 : I Udana to T Iqbal, Back of a length ball, Tamim punches this off his back foot on the off side for one.
9.2 : I Udana to M Rahim, FOUR! Cut and cut hard. Outside off, Rahim cuts it over the backward point fielder for a boundary.
9.3 : I Udana to M Rahim, Rahim plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. They pick up a single.
9.4 : I Udana to T Iqbal, Tamim delicately works it fine down the leg side.
9.5 : I Udana to T Iqbal, Short ball, Tamim pulls this front of square for a run.
9.6 : I Udana to M Rahim, Rahim opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man for one. Bangladesh are 80- 2 after 10 overs.
10.1 : J Mendis to M Rahim, Short ball, Rahim punches this towards mid on for a run.
10.2 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
10.3 : J Mendis to M Rahim, Rahim plays this towards mid-wicket and rotates strike. This single brings up 1000 T20I runs for him. He is going through a purple patch at the moment and Bangladesh would love his presence till the end of this run-chase.
10.4 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Outside off, Tamim is late trying to work it to third man and the ball just misses his outside edge.
10.5 : J Mendis to T Iqbal, Fifty partnership for these two. Tamim strokes his towards mid-wicket for one more.
10.6 : J Mendis to M Rahim, Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Akila Dananjaya comes back into the attack. It has started to drizzle a bit as I type.
11.1 : A Dananjaya to M Rahim, Rahim eases this through mid-wicket for another run.
11.2 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Tamim dances down the track but decides to defend it.
11.3 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Tamim has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
11.4 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Three dot balls in a row now. Tamim drives it towards covers and a good stop there saves a run for his team.
11.5 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Wide. Almost a clever stumping. Akila sees Tamim coming down and darts this outside off. Tamim gets back inside but it's a clear wide.
A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, Tamim dabs this towards square leg and gets couple for it.
11.6 : A Dananjaya to T Iqbal, SIX! Great short. Loopy ball, outside off, Tamim charges down and lofts it over mid off for a biggie.
Amila Aponso comes in for another spell.
12.1 : A Aponso to M Rahim, Rahim pushes this through mid off to get another run.
12.2 : A Aponso to T Iqbal, Tamim hits this towards mid on and gets one more. They are doing it well till now.
12.3 : A Aponso to M Rahim, OUT! Commentator's curse? Just as we were praising the way Bangladesh were going about their chase they lose a wicket. And it's of the man in red hot form. Mushfiqur Rahim. Aponso gives this air, Rahim charges down and looks to go over covers but hits it straight to Thisara stationed there. He hit it well and the ball was traveling, a very good catch by Perera who times his jump to perfection.
Soumya Sarkar walks in next as it continues to spit.
12.4 : A Aponso to S Sarkar, 1 run.
12.5 : A Aponso to T Iqbal, 1 run.
12.6 : A Aponso to S Sarkar, 1 run.
13.1 : D Gunathilaka to S Sarkar, Gets back to a shortish ball and punches it on the off side, straight to the cover fielder.
13.2 : D Gunathilaka to S Sarkar, Flatter ball outside off, fuller in length, Sarkar forces it through covers and collects a brace.
13.3 : D Gunathilaka to S Sarkar, Quicker one on middle, worked on the leg side for one.
13.4 : D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, Fifty for Tamim Iqbal, his 5th in T20Is! Flighted ball outside off, Iqbal drills it through covers for a single. A vital knock by the southpaw but he needs to carry on.
13.5 : D Gunathilaka to S Sarkar, Walks down the track and pushes a full ball to long off for a run.
13.6 : D Gunathilaka to T Iqbal, OUT! Great, great catch by Kusal Perera. Another superb effort behind the wickets. Gunathilaka serves a flighted full ball around off, spinning away a bit, Tamim advances down the track for a lofted shot over covers but fails to middle it properly. Takes a fine edge and hurries to the keeper. He fails to grab it first as the ball hits him on the left shoulder and pops in front of him. He, then, tries to catch but it once again bounces off his gloves this time, hit
Mahmudullah walks in next. 55 needed off 36 balls. Jeevan Mendis is brought back into the attack as well.
14.1 : J Mendis to S Sarkar, Sarkar has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
14.2 : J Mendis to S Sarkar, Sarkar leans forward and pushes this in the gap through covers for a brace.
14.3 : J Mendis to S Sarkar, Sarkar whips this towards square leg for another two.
14.4 : J Mendis to S Sarkar, Sarkar opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man.
14.5 : J Mendis to S Sarkar, OUT! Bangladesh are losing wickets at quick intervals now. After Rahim fell they have lost two more post that. Not helping their own cause. Tossed up delivery, the ball holds up and the spins away from Sarkar. He comes down the track and plays at the wrong line and gets an outside edge to it. Kusal takes the catch after fumbling and even takes the bails off as he is not sure of the edge. Sarkar comes back inside but the umpire raises his finger for caught behind.
Shakib Al Hasan arrives to a big ovation.
14.6 : J Mendis to Al Hasan, The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.
15.1 : D Gunathilaka to Al Hasan, No run.
15.2 : D Gunathilaka to Al Hasan, Wide! The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. Wide signalled by the umpire.
D Gunathilaka to Al Hasan, Shakib punches this towards mid on and gets one.
15.3 : D Gunathilaka to Mahmudullah, FOUR! Great drive. Gunathilaka darts this outside off, Mahmudullah fetches for it and drives it superbly through covers for a boundary.
15.4 : D Gunathilaka to Mahmudullah, Short ball, Mahmudullah taps it through mid-wicket and they cross.
15.5 : D Gunathilaka to Al Hasan, Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single.
15.6 : D Gunathilaka to Mahmudullah, Inside out shot from Mahmudullah. Lofts this over covers and comes back for two.
16.1 : J Mendis to Al Hasan, Flighted full ball around off, lofted over the bowler's head and it went on one bounce to the long off fielder. A single taken. 39 needed off 23 balls!
16.2 : J Mendis to Mahmudullah, Left alone, interesting. A nicely flighted ball around off, spinning away, Mahmudullah watches it go without playing any shot.
16.3 : J Mendis to Mahmudullah, This one is dragged down and Mahmudullah eases it behind square leg for a couple of runs.
16.4 : J Mendis to Mahmudullah, SIX! Stunned silence in the stands. That's a clinical shot by Mahmudullah. He skips down the track to reach a fuller length ball and admonishes it over the bowler's head for a maximum. Clean as a whistle.
16.5 : J Mendis to Mahmudullah, Smart batting. Got a boundary off the previous ball and this time just nudges it in the gap at mid-wicket to rotate the strike. This is the experienced pair in the middle for Bangladesh.
16.6 : J Mendis to Al Hasan, Shakib uses his feet to force a full ball to long off for a run. 11 from the over, 29 needed off 18 balls.
Isuru Udana is brought into the attack.
17.1 : I Udana to Al Hasan, Good delivery, a near yorker around off, Shakib digs it out from the bottom half of his bat to mid-wicket. Collects a single.
0.0 : Some change in the field. Mid off drops back and fine leg comes up.
17.2 : I Udana to Mahmudullah, Sprays it full and way wide outside off, Mahmudullah reaches out for it and flashes his blade through the line. Connects but not exactly from the middle of the bat and it flies down to third man for a run.
17.3 : I Udana to Al Hasan, A low full toss around leg, Shakib sweeps it through backward square leg and the fielder at fine leg does well to make the stop in the deep. Only a single.
17.4 : I Udana to Mahmudullah, Fullish and outside off, Mahmudullah keeps his weight on the back leg and drives it through covers for a run.
17.5 : I Udana to Mahmudullah, Mishit but safe! Once again Mahmudullah tries forcing a full ball through covers by staying on the back foot. It takes the outside part of the blade and flies over backward point for one.
17.6 : I Udana to Al Hasan, OUT! Shakib holes out and the crowd has gone mad! They certainly know the value of this wicket. Let me tell you, Shakib will feel he is very unlucky to find the only fielder there in the deep. A full ball is on his pads and he whips it over backward square leg. Akila Dananjaya is placed exactly there and he makes no mistake. 23 needed off 12 balls!
Mehidy Hasan is the new batsman. Also a bowling change, skipper Thisara Perera to bowl the penultimate over.
18.1 : T Perera to Mahmudullah, Lucky to get away with this, Perera. A full toss around off, Mahmudullah shimmies down the track looking for a big shot but it takes the inside half of his blade and runs to deep mid-wicket. A couple taken.
18.2 : T Perera to Mahmudullah, Excellent delivery this time. Too full and around off, once again a little shimmy by Mahmudullah as he tries to hit it through the line. Fails to make any connection.
18.3 : T Perera to Mahmudullah, Misses the yorker mark, a low full toss on off, Mahmudullah swings it in front of square leg and takes a single. Pressurizes the fielder there by looking for the second and the fielder misfields. Two runs added to the total. 19 off 9!
18.4 : T Perera to Mahmudullah, FOUR! Cheeky by Mahmudullah! Perera delivers a fuller length ball outside off, Mahmudullah shuffles across the stumps and neatly spoons it over short fine leg for a boundary. Vital, very vital boundary for Bangladesh!
18.5 : T Perera to Mahmudullah, Well fielding, Kusal Mendis! Saves a run for his side. Every run matters in a close run chase. A full length ball outside off, Mahmudullah hangs back and hammers it cover-point. Kusal Mendis in the deep runs across to his left, puts in a valiant dive and pulls the ball back just before the rope. The umpire gets it checked upstairs and it's a clean one.
Direct hit at the non-striker's end! Mehidy looks to be in trouble. Is he run out? Let's find out...
18.6 : T Perera to M Hasan, OUT! Hasan has to depart! He drives a full ball to mid off and scampers across to the other end. Shanaka picks up the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The umpire goes upstairs and the replays show that Hasan is short of the crease. Another wicket falls and the worst part for Bangladesh is that Mahmudullah won't be on strike for the next over.
12 needed off 6 balls. Mustafizur Rahman has joined Mahmudullah in the middle and he will be on strike. Who is bowling this pressure over? It's Isuru Udana.
DRS time! Appeal for a caught behind. Not given and it's referred by Sri Lanka.
19.1 : I Udana to M Rahman, Safe! Nothing in the replays. Udana digs in a short ball around middle and leg, Rahman tries to hook but misses.
A run out appeal this time is referred upstairs. It's all happening out there. Sri Lanka are looking very confident.
19.2 : I Udana to M Rahman, OUT! Rahman is run out! Another shorter length ball around off, Mustafizur tries to pull but misses. This time Mahmudullah wants to steal a bye and calls his partner. The keeper parries it to the bowler who breaks the stumps. It's referred upstairs and the replays find Rahman short.
Rubel Hossain is the new batsman. Things heating up there as Tharanga pushed one of the Bangladesh substitute players who was out there serving water to Mahmudullah. It has not gone down well with Shakib Al Hasan who is fuming at the boundary line. Wait, he is calling back his batsmen! The match officials are now getting involved but Shakib ain't agreeing. He wants his batsmen off the ground. Not looking good.
The word we are getting is that the square leg umpire called the last ball a no ball initially for the second bouncer but then changed his decision which got a few Bangladeshi players worked up. It all led to the incident mentioned below. Anyway, it seems that sanity has prevailed now. Mahmudullah is still on the field. Shakib climbs the stairs and goes in the dressing room. He is very angry. Good part is that we will continue with this match.
19.3 : I Udana to Mahmudullah, FOUR! Mahmudullah, you beauty! All the pressure and tension and he has played an outstanding shot. Latches onto a fuller length ball outside off and powers it over covers for a boundary.
19.4 : I Udana to Mahmudullah, Nearly a run out! Fuller and on middle, Mahmudullah clips it through square leg and returns for the risky second run. The keeper gathers the ball and tries to deflect it onto the stumps. Misses it and Mahmudullah makes it safely. Could have been touch and go.
19.5 : I Udana to Mahmudullah, SIX! OUT OF HERE! MAHMUDULLAH HAS DONE IT! BANGLADESH ARE IN THE FINAL! Pin-drop silence in the stadium. Only noise you will hear is of a bunch of Bangladeshi boys all pumped up. Udana delivers it full and on the leg stump, Mahmudullah picks it off his pads and dismisses it over deep square leg for a maximum. Boy, terrific scenes out there, whole of the Bangladesh dressing room is out there, jumping and hugging each other. Aahhh...here comes the cobra dance now. The
What a thrilling game! Pressure and tension mounted towards the end and have to say, a calm and composed Mahmudullah did an outstanding job to see his side through to the final. Thisara Perera experiences his 8th loss as a captain, an unwanted 100 percent losing record. The home side will be deeply disappointed. They won't be in the final of a tri-series which is organized to celebrate their 70th year of independence.
It was a great game of Twenty20! Sri Lanka started on a false note by losing the cream of their batting inside the Powerplay. Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera then joined forces to start the revival and courtesy their 97-run stand, Sri Lanka managed to claw back. Some late hitting by Thisara powered them to a total which many considered to be challenging, if not winning.
In spite of losing Liton Das early, Bangladesh kept themselves on track by maintaining a good rate. The partnership between Tamim and Shakib was very crucial in the context of the game. Sri Lanka did manage to take this game close by picking wickets towards the end but then failed to hold their composure. Mahmudullah was the real star, playing a stunning knock and showed his class. Tension, pressure, nerves, emotions - Mahmudullah controlled all and hit 12 runs off three balls after the ugly onf
Tamim Iqbal is down with Russel Arnold for a chat. He says that there all are very emotional after the win. On being asked about the argument he says that their players were only confused about the no-ball decision given by the umpire. Adds by saying that the Sri Lankan's are their good friends and this won't cause a rift between them. About the finish he says that Mahmudullah kept his cool and is out of words to describe the end. On his knock, he states that he should have been there for longer
Man of the Match, Mahmudullah, says that he rates this as one of his best innings. He adds by saying that a win was needed for them and with Shakib back in the squad it boosted their confidence. On his batting he says that his plan was to watch the ball well and hit it hard. He continues saying that he got nervous when Rahim got out but got confidence from his players. On the confusion he says that it was because of the no-ball and ends by saying that it is all part of the game.
Thisara Perera, the Sri Lankan skipper states that the whole team is disappointed but thanks the crowd for the support. On the target he feels that they were maybe 10-15 runs short. Ends by saying that he is happy for the youngsters as they are looking forward for the upcoming World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan, the winning skipper says that the match was filled with a lot of drama. Feels that they were lucky to win the game and credits Sri Lanka for their recovery. On his batting he says that he just wanted to give Mahmudullah the strike and is all praises for him they way he played the last five overs. On the confusion he says that his emotions got the better of him as there was excitement and also confusion. Continues by saying that the Sri Lankans are their good friends off the pitc
Time to draw the curtain on this action-packed game. The final is on Sunday. Unfortunately, the home team won't play a part in it but India vs Bangladesh also promises to be a cracking game. Do join us at 1330 GMT (1900 local) for all the action. Cheers!