Photo: Collected
Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka held his nerve as he defended 12 runs in the last over to clinch the first T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh by three runs despite a blistering 34-ball 68 from Tigers batter Jaker Ali Anik in Sylhet on Monday (4 March).
Chasing 207, Bangladesh were reeling at 68 for four after nine overs when Jaker Ali joined veteran Mahmudullah Riyad in the middle.
Bangladesh's top four accounted for 40 runs off 41 balls as the hosts were reduced to 68 for four after nine overs. Mahmudullah smashed a 27-ball fifty and built a 47-run stand with Jaker. He was dismissed while trying to up the ante but Jaker took the onus on himself and almost single-handedly kept the Tigers alive in the contest.
Before that, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed fifties to propel Sri Lanka to 206 for three in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Monday (4 March).
Skipper Charith Asalanka then smashed six sixes in a 21-ball 44-run blitz which ensured the Lankans pushed past the 200-run mark.
Bangladesh batter jaker Ali Anik justified his selection with a 25-ball fifty which helped keep his side alive in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Monday.
Jaker smashed six sixes and a four for an unbeaten 25-ball 53 which propelled Bangladesh to 170 for five, meaning the hosts needed 27 runs in the last three overs to chase down Sri Lanka's 207-run target.
Bangladesh batters Soumya Sarker and Towhid Hridoy were dismissed in quick succession to leave the Tigers three down for 37 after five overs in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet.
So, despite reaching out very close of winning the match Bangladesh at last lost the match by 3 runs.
Messenger/Sumon
