Bangladesh pulled off a crucial 16-run win over Sri Lanka in the second One Day International at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo Saturday, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Defending a modest total of 248, it was the Bangladeshi spinners who spun a web around the hosts.
Tanvir Islam was the standout, returning a career-best five for 39 in his 10 overs, while Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Shamim Hossain Patwary played pivotal roles in applying the brakes during the middle overs.
Sri Lanka appeared well on course with Kusal Mendis anchoring the innings with 56, but his dismissal triggered a collapse.
The pressure mounted steadily as Bangladesh's slower bowlers dictated terms.
Despite Janith Liyanage’s gritty 78, Sri Lanka faltered in their chase and were eventually bowled out for 232 in 48.5 overs.
Mustafizur Rahman applied the finishing touch, foxing Liyanage with a clever slower delivery that sealed the win for the visitors.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh, having opted to bat first, were restricted to 248 in 45.5 overs.
Parvez Hossain Emon led the charge with a fluent 67 off 69 balls, registering his maiden ODI fifty, while Towhid Hridoy added 51.
However, their innings never found sustained momentum as Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Asitha Fernando (4/35), made regular breakthroughs.
Fernando, fresh off a county stint with Glamorgan, used bounce and variation to great effect.
Wanindu Hasaranga (3/60) supported well, and Sri Lanka’s sharp fielding proved instrumental.
Several Bangladesh batters, including Shamim and Miraz, fell to the short-ball ploy, while skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto gave his wicket away on 14.
A crucial 30-run final-wicket stand between Tanzim Hasan Sakib (33 off 21) and Mustafizur helped Bangladesh stretch the total beyond 240.
In hindsight, those late runs made the difference, as the bowlers delivered under pressure to turn the series into a decider.
The two teams will now head into the third ODI with everything to play for, promising a fitting finale to a closely contested series.
2ND ODI
Bangladesh 248 in 45.5 overs (Emon 67, Hridoy 51, Asitha 4/35) beat Sri Lanka 232 in 48.5 overs (Liyanage 78, Tanvir 5/39, Tanzim 2/34) by 16 runs