All-round Bangladesh make history

An all-round effort saw host Bangladesh clinch a record 163-run victory over Sri Lanka in the tri-nation ODI series at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Friday. With the victory, Bangladesh registered their biggest win in ODIs in terms of runs. The Tigers previously recorded their largest victory of 160 runs against the West Indies in 2012 in Khulna. The win Friday against Sri Lanka was Bangladesh’s sixth in 42 matches. Bangladesh with two wins in as many games are on top in the points table and have already confirmed a berth in the grand finale with two matches remaining. A lot was spoken and discussed before the match as former Tigers head coach Chandika Hathurusingha recently took charge as the coach of Sri Lanka. There were discussions if Hathurusingha, who left the Bangladesh job last October, will have the edge over the Bangladesh cricketers, who he worked closely with and guided to immense success in the past years. But all theories and doubts were put to bed by the Tigers, who were clinical in taking down Sri Lanka. The Tigers were impeccable as they first posted a massive 320 on the board, losing seven wickets in their stipulated 50 overs, and later restricted the former world champion in 32.2 overs for 157. Winning the toss, the home side batted first and riding on the in-form Tamim Iqbal’s flawless 84, complemented brilliantly by two more half-centuries, from Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, registered 320. Tamim and Anamul Haque started proceedings by putting on 71 for the opening wicket partnership, before Shakib joined Tamim for a 99-run stand for the second wicket. The two partnerships set the perfect platform for the Tigers for a big total.

Player of the Match : .@Sah75official pic.twitter.com/LpjzUfZTS2

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) January 19, 2018

Anamul survived three chances before getting dismissed for 35 off 37 balls. Tamim was slow initially but stepped on the gas soon, picking up his 40th ODI fifty and second in the series in as many games. Tamim took a particular liking to the short stuff dished out at him. Not even getting struck on the helmet twice could deter him. In all, he struck seven fours and two sixes. Shakib on the other hand was flashy as he rushed to 67 off just 63 balls. He was rock solid against the short delivery as he fetched boundaries whenever the opportunity arose. Mushfiq added a 52-ball 62 to the tally and kept the scoreboard ticking along during a 57-run third-wicket stand with Shakib. After Shakib's dismissal, he kept Bangladesh ticking with a 42-ball half-century, his 28th in ODIs, that pushed the total towards the 300-mark. Bangladesh in the latter part of their innings saw Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman put up cameos of 24 each and push the Bangladesh total to 320, despite slowing down slightly when they lost three quick wickets in the last five overs. Bangladesh had gone into the game with four pacers and the decision was spot on as the group shared five wickets and conceded 84 runs in 21 overs. Backed by the spinners, led by Shakib’s 3/ 47 in eight overs, the Lankans were dismissed for 157. Captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza made the early difference as the veteran right-arm pacer denied Sri Lanka a brisk start. Nasir Hossain at the other end removed Kusal Parera in the third over and by the end of the first powerplay, the island nation lost both their openers. Mashrafe removed Upal Tharanga and Kusal Mendis in similar fashion while Mustafizur Rahman cleaned up Niroshan Dickwella, who had come into the squad for the injured Angelo Mathews.

Bangladesh confirms Rocket Tri-Nation ODI Series final by winning against Sri Lanka today. pic.twitter.com/xdM0Ame4gR

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) January 19, 2018

Shakib dismissed Asela Gunaratne and Wanindu Hasaranga off successive balls in the next over and later Thisara Perera, following a brief burst. Rubel Hossain ended the procession with wickets in successive overs as Sri Lanka folded in the 33rd over. The right-arm pacer finished with two wickets.BRIEF SCORESri Lanka 157 in 32.2 overs (Shakib 3/47, Rubel 2/20) lost to Bangladesh 320/7 (Tamim 84, Shakib 67) by 163 runs POINTS TABLETeams M W L Pts NRRBangladesh 2 2 0 10 2.985Zimbabwe 2 1 1 4 -1.12Sri Lanka 2 0 2 0 -1.75 TIGERS’ LARGEST ODI WINS (RUNS)Opposition Margin Venue YearSri Lanka 163 Dhaka 2018West Indies 160 Khulna 2012Scotland 146 Dhaka 2006