Mendis takes 22 runs from four Miraz deliveries Bangladesh made three changes to the squad from the previous match against Sri Lanka as Anamul Haque, Nasir Hossain and Abul Hasan Raju were replaced by Mohammad Mithun, Saifuddin and Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Off-spinner Miraz was selected considering the number of left-handed batsmen in the Lankan batting line up. Miraz gave success to Team Tigers straightaway as he took the wicket of Danushka Gunathilaka in the third over. But then Kusal Mendis took charge and attacked Miraz particularly. Mendis struck 6, 4, 6 and 6 in his first four balls in the fifth over, unsettling Miraz quite a bit. Mendis’ clean hitting helped to increase the run rate for Sri Lanka, despite the fall of an early wicket. Later, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza took the wicket of Mendis but the right-handed batsman scored 28 off just nine balls and looked dangerous.Mustafizur claims 50th ODI wicket With the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman claimed his 50th ODI wicket. Tharanga was cleaned up in the third ball of the 36th over as Mustafizur brought a crucial breakthrough for Bangladesh. Mustafizur also got the wicket of Akila Dananjaya in the later part of the innings to finish with brilliant bowling figure of 2/29 in his quota of 10 overs. Mustafizur achieved his 50-wicket haul in his 27th ODI. Mustafizur in the process became the fastest Bangladeshi to claim 50 ODI wickets, overlapping Abdur Razzak’s record, who achieved it in 32 games.Shakib injury big blow for TigersShakib al Hasan’s injury in the 42nd over came as a major blow for Bangladesh as the left-handed batsman picked up an injury in his little left hand finger and was subsequently ruled out from the tri-nation ODI series final. Shakib was sent to hospital for a scan and later it was confirmed by the BCB that he will not take part in the final anymore. He was also ruled out of the first of two Test matches against Sri Lanka later this week. Shakib’s injury caused some mental pressure while the Tigers were chasing a moderate target of 222 as Bangladesh knew from the very beginning that they are without one of their best batsmen. Shakib has been batting at the crucial No 3 spot in the last few matches and was also among runs. Bangladesh’s top-order played some nervous cricket in the absence of Shakib.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
