The cricket match played yesterday between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Stadium was one of the most exciting and thrilling contests witnessed in the tournament. However, the battle between the two cricketing nations started even before the match as earlier Sri Lankan limited overs skipper Dasun Shanaka called Bangladesh an easier opponent as it has only two world class bowlers – Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan.
The Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud responded to Dasun Shanaka’s statement by saying that at least Bangladesh has two world class bowlers but the Sri Lankan side doesn’t have any world class player.
The former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene didn’t make any delay in sharing Khaled Mahmud’s video. He asked the bowlers of his country to show their class and the batters to tell who they are.
This is what Mahela Jayawardene tweeted, “Looks like it’s time for @OfficialSLC bowlers to show the class and batters to show who they are on the field..#AsiaCup2022”
Looks like it’s time for @OfficialSLC bowlers to show the class and batters to show who they are on the field..😉👍#AsiaCup2022 https://t.co/txWm7wH4nC
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 31, 2022
This was a do or die match for both the teams as they both had lost their first match against Afghanistan and desperation to win the match was quite visible in the players of both the teams.
The important toss was won by Sri Lanka and it decided to bowl first; the Bangladeshi batters rose to the occasion and helped their team in putting up a good total of 183/7 in rhw stipulated 20 overs. Though no Bangladeshi batter touched the 50-run mark, it was a combined effort as useful contributions were made by Mehidy Hasan (38 runs, 26 balls, 2 fours & 2 sixes), skipper Shakib Al Hasan (24 runs, 22 balls, 3 fours), Afif Hossain (39 runs, 22 balls, 4 fours & 2 sixes), Mahmudullah (27 runs, 22 balls, 1 four & 1six) and Mosaddek Hossain (24 runs, 9 balls, 4 fours).
The Sri Lankan side got a good start as the openers Pathum Nissanka (20 runs, 19 balls, 2 fours & 1 six) and Kusal Mendis (60 runs, 37 balls, 4 fours & 3 sixes) put up a partnership of 45 runs for the first wicket but after that, Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets on a regular interval. There was a time when Bangladesh seemed to be in complete control of the match but then Dasun Shanaka played an important innings of 45 runs (33 balls, 3 fours & 2 sixes) and brought his team back into the match. Tables once again turned upside down when Shanaka got out; however, Asitha Fernando (10 runs, 3 balls, 2 fours) clinched victory for his team by hitting two boundaries with 2 wickets in hand and four balls remaining in their innings. One thing more which has hurt the Bangladesh team a lot are the 17 runs that it has given in extras (4 no-balls, 8 wides and 5 leg-byes).
After winning the match, some Sri Lankan players were also seen making fun of the Bangladesh players by doing Naagin dance which is a signature dance of the Bangladeshi side.
Mahela Jayawardene also took to Twitter and referred to the world class jibe by tweeting, “Well done guys!!! Fantastic fight back to win this game under pressure.. Safe to say it was a world class performance”.
Well done guys!!! Fantastic fight back to win this game under pressure.. safe to say it was a world class performance 👏👏👊 @OfficialSLC #AsiaCup2022
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) September 1, 2022
While India from Group A has entered Super Four, the result of today’s match between Pakistan and Hong Kong will decide which team will be going for Super Four while in Group B, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have already made it to Super Four.
