Mushfiqur Rahim’s anchoring 84 followed by Mehidy Hasan’s excellent four-wicket spell helped Bangladesh beat visiting Sri Lanka by 33 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series played at the Sher-e Bangla Stadium, Mirpur yesterday.
In reply to Bangladesh’s 257/6, Sri Lanka struggled as they lost all wickets for 220 in 46.1 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga (74) was the top scorer for Sri Lanka while skipper Kusal Perera made 30.
Chasing the target, Sri Lanka started brilliantly as the two openers added 30 runs in just 5 overs before Gunathilaka (21) was dismissed by Hasan. Mustafizur Rahman joined him to remove Pathum Nissanka (8) in his very first over as Sri Lanka lost their second wicket on 41.
Shakib Al Hasan took the crucial wicket of Kusal Mendis (24 off 36) who was looking dangerous, while Hasan sent back Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva (9) in consecutive overs. He then prolonged the woe for Sri Lanka by removing Ashen Bandara.
Struggling at 102/6, Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka tried to make some resistance before Dasun Shanaka (14) fell to Mohammad Saifuddin. Hasaranga and Isuru Udana added 62 runs for the eighth wicket which raised hope for Sri Lanka, but the former was dismissed by Saifuddin scoring 74, the team’s highest, off 60 balls.
Mustafizur who left the field for injury struck in the first ball after returning to the field to remove Udana (21). He also took the wicket of Lakshan Sandakan (8) and finished with figures of 3/34.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal chose to bat first but did not get the ideal start as they lost opener Liton Das in the second over to Dushmantha Chameera. Iqbal and Shakib added 38 runs between them for the second wicket before Shakib was dismissed cheaply by Gunathilaka for 15.
Iqbal and Mushfiqur then took charge and added 56 runs before Iqbal fell for 52. Mushfiqur steadied the innings as he shared a 109-run partnership with Mahmudullah, scoring 84 off 87 balls with the help of four fours and a six. Bangladesh finished on 257 for 6 with Mahmudullah making 54 and Afif Hossain scoring 27.
For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva was the most successful bowler with three wickets while Sandakan, Gunathilaka and Chameera bagged one wicket each.
The second ODI is set to kick-off tomorrow (25).
(Agencies)
