Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by 16 runs today in the second ODI of the series at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium. Batting first after winning the toss, the Tigers were bowled out for 248. In response, Sri Lanka's innings ended at 232. Tanvir was the star for Bangladesh, taking 6 wickets for just 39 runs.
Match Highlights
The innings began with an early departure for Tanzid Hasan Tamim, followed by a fifty from Parvez Hossain Emon. Towhid Hridoy also contributed a half-century, supported by scattered contributions from other batsmen, allowing Bangladesh to reach a respectable total near 250.
In pursuit, Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis blazed to a fifty in just 19 balls. In the first 10 overs, his explosive batting left the Bangladeshi bowlers seemingly helpless. However, spinner Tanvir Islam brought Bangladesh back into the game with two crucial wickets in quick succession. From that point, the Lankans were under pressure, and the Tigers' bowlers maintained that pressure until the very end of the match. While Janith put up a fight in the closing stages, it only reduced the margin of defeat. This thrilling victory leveled the three-match series at 1-1. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, with his 6 wickets, was undoubtedly the hero of Bangladesh's triumph.
Lankan Run Chase and Bangladeshi Bowling Brilliance
Kusal Mendis provided an explosive start to the Lankan run chase. After Pathum Nissanka's early dismissal, Mendis came to the crease and immediately started attacking every Bangladeshi bowler, from Tanvir to Mustafiz. He reached his fifty in just 19 balls. However, it was Tanvir, the very bowler he had started the storm against, who eventually dismissed Kusal. Following this, Kamindu and Charith Asalanka couldn't last long at the wicket. Shamim Patwari and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also delivered excellent bowling performances.
Bangladesh's Innings
Earlier, batting first, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who scored a fifty in the previous match, was dismissed early. Parvez Hossain Emon then formed a 63-run partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto. In the 12th over, Shanto was caught at cow corner trying to hit Charith Asalanka over the top. The top-order batter scored 14 runs off 19 balls. Emon reached his fifty in 46 balls but couldn't last much longer after that milestone. He scored 67 runs off 69 balls before returning to the pavilion.
Towhid Hridoy then stood firm at one end and brought up his half-century. However, he was run out due to a mix-up with Tanzim Sakib, departing after scoring 51 runs off 69 balls. Tanzim remained unbeaten at the other end, smashing 33 runs off 21 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Tanzim and Mustafiz added 30 crucial runs for the last wicket. Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored a half-century, was the top scorer with 67 runs. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando claimed 4 wickets, while Hasaranga took 3.
