Bangladesh’s match-winner credits batsmen for pulling off record chase against Sri Lanka.
After Bangladesh’s five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy T20I encounter, Mushfiqur Rahim dedicated his match-winning 35-ball unbeaten 72 to his son.
“He’s just 35 days old. I’m very happy for [having] him,” he said.
It was the high point of the day for Rahim, after a night in which Bangladesh dispelled their batting vows to put in one of the T20I performances for the ages. They headed into the match having lost 13 of their last 14 T20Is, with their batsmen desperate for form.
When Sri Lanka posted a massive 214/6 in the first innings, thanks to half-centuries from Kusal Perera (74) and Kusal Mendis (57). At the half-way stage the home side were considered favourites.
However, Liton Das (43 off 19 balls) and Tamim Iqbal (47 off 29) got them off to a quick start, putting on 74 for the opening wicket in just six overs. Though both were then dismissed, Rahim took charge and powered the chase, battling a bad case of cramp to ensure Bangladesh crossed the line with two balls to spare .
It was a victory that restored parity to what has become a thrilling series – all participant teams, India being the other, have now won a match each. With both India and Sri Lanka having secured a victory leading up to this match, the pressure was on Bangladesh to do the same.
“We badly needed a win, and you can’t ask for much more than this,” said Rahim. “At the end of the day, the result counts and we won. That’s the most important thing. I’m really happy for the team and for myself also.
“Credit goes to all the batsmen. I thought the wicket was pretty good, but we gave [away] a few extra runs in the back end. But the way Liton and Tamim set it up in the first six overs, it was outstanding. That showed us that if we played good cricketing shots, there were plenty of runs on this track.”
It was a point that was met with approval by his captain, Mahmadullah, who himself bowled a match-changing over when he dismissed both Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka within four balls of an over at a time Sri Lanka were on song.
“It was a game of quite a bit of nerves,” said the Bangladesh captain. “We decided to bowl first, and bowlers did try in the first innings but it was a really good wicket to bat on. It was great the result came our way.”
He then went on to laud Rahim’s performance. “From the beginning, we thought we could win,” said Mahmadullah. “Tamim and Liton gave us a good start. Later on, Soumya [Sarkar] and Mushy [Rahim] had a great partnership. Then Mushy was outstanding, the way he held his nerve and kept batting on and getting the boundaries. It was amazing to see and good inspiration for us.”
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka captain, Dinesh Chandimal, rued his team’s lacklustre display with the ball.
“It was a really good game of cricket and credit goes to the batsmen. They put a really good total,” said Chandimal. “They batted really well. It was a really good wicket, but as a bowling unit we did not execute well. I think our bowling was below par today, but I am sure they will come back in the next game.”
Chandimal didn’t linger on his bowlers though, and opted to focus on the positives. “The two Kusals [Mendis and Perera] are in good form, right from the Bangladesh tour [in February],” he said. “They played some outstanding cricket, and it gave us a lot of confidence as a batting unit.”