Rookie Bangladeshi pacer Al-Amin Hossain wrote his version of a fairy tale that he would tell his grandchildren someday with pride after having claimed Kumar Sangakkara – one of the greatest ever batsmen in cricket history – as the first scalp of his ODI career.
Oozing in confidence as usual, especially after the heaps of runs that he had made in the test series, “Sanga” came charging down the track to Al Amin in the 11th over, only to mishit as far as Arafat Sunny at mid-off.
Earlier in the day, the fate of the first ODI of the series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur was in serious doubts because of overcast conditions.
But finally when the sun came out in the afternoon, it shone brightly on the tigers.
Till filing of this report, Bangladeshi bowlers have reduced the Lankans to 149 for 9 at the end of 35.3 overs.
Two early wickets in the first couple of overs helped Bangladesh rein the flow of runs and build some pressure on the Lankans. Rubel Hossain sent back the two openers – dangerous TM Dilshan for 3 and Perera for 20.