Tigers suffer yet another final heartache

Host Bangladesh lost the grand finale of the tri-nation ODI series against Sri Lanka by 79 runs at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Saturday. Chasing 222, Bangladesh managed to score 142 losing all of their wickets within 41.1 overs. The loss is even more painful for Bangladesh as their prolific all-rounder Shakb al Hasan injured his little left finger during Sri Lanka’s innings and did not bat in the final. The left-hander, who is the captain of the Test side, was later ruled out of the first of two Test matches against Sri Lanka, scheduled to start Wednesday in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh made three changes from the last match against Sri Lanka where they were cleaned up for just 82. Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy was dropped and replaced by wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Mithun. All-rounders Nasir Hossain and Abul Hasan Raju were dropped as well, making way for youngsters Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Saifuddin. However, their fortune did not change much as they suffered their fourth final loss in Mirpur after defeats against the Lankans in 2009, Pakistan in 2012 and India in 2016. In pursuit of a moderate target, Bangladesh made an extra cautious start, which cost them heavily, as they lost three wickets within 10 overs scoring just 22 runs. As Shakib was out injured, Bangladesh were in the back foot after 10 overs after losing opener Tamim Iqbal (three off 18 balls), Mithun (10 off 27 deliveries) and No 3 batsman Sabbir Rahman (two off nine balls).

Well done @OfficialSLC. Hopefully the start of good things to come.

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) January 27, 2018

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah then formed a 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket, giving Bangladesh some hope. But Mushfiq lost his wicket in the 23rd over while trying to sweep spinner Akila Dananjawa after scoring 22 off 40 balls. Bangladesh lost regular wickets from thereon in and eventually posted 142 in 41.1 overs. Mahmudullah played brilliantly for the Tigers as the right hander scored 76 off 92 balls and was the last batsman to be dismissed. Mahmudullah struck half a dozen fours and three sixes. Sri Lanka debutant Shehan Madushanka took a hat-trick in the latter part of Bangladesh’s innings as he took the wickets of captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza, lower-order batsman Rubel Hossain and Mahmudullah in 39.5, 39.6 and 41.1 overs. Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal elected to bat first.

Sri Lanka's journey to win tri-series. What a comeback. played Sri Lanka. #LKA

17 Jan - Lost to Zim 19 Jan - Lost to Ban 20 Jan - Mathews ruledout 20 Jan - KJP ruled out 21 Jan - Beat Zim 22 Jan - Pradeep ruledout 25 Jan - Beat Ban 27 Jan - Champions! ? — Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) January 27, 2018

Sri Lanka lost an early wicket, that of opener Danushka Gunathilaka (six) but No 3 batsman Kusal Mendis played some aggressive shots, scoring 28 off nine balls. The experienced Upul Tharanga (56 off 99 balls), No 4 batsman Niroshan Dickwella (42 off 57 balls) and Chandimal (45 off 74 balls) made some valuable contributions in the middle-order for the Lankans. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel bowled well in the latter part of the innings as the Lankans registered 221 losing all of their wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Rubel took four wickets for 46 runs while Mustafizur took two conceding 29 runs, both completing their quota of 10 overs. Tharanga was adjudged man of the final while all-rounder Thisara Perera was named man of the series.

CHAMPIONS! #TriSeries #BANvSL #LionsRoar #OneTeamOneNation #WeRoar pic.twitter.com/DbUQvy9O3z

— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) January 27, 2018

BRIEF SCOREBangladesh 142 in 41.1 overs (Mahmudullah 76, Madushanka 3/26) lost to Sri Lanka 221 (Tharanga 56, Rubel 4/46) by 79 runs