Rubel-Mendis exchangeThe Sri Lanka openers had got the side off to a blazing start, posting 30 runs in the first three overs against the three Bangladesh pacers. Right-arm pacer Rubel Hossain had bowled the third and conceded just six runs but still, the two opposition openers were firing from all cylinders. In the last ball of the over, Rubel had foiled Kusal Mendis with some extra pace and, as the batsman was changing his end for a single, the Bangladesh bowler exchanged some pleasantries. The Sri Lanka batsman did not hold back in replying and this allowed the other Bangladesh cricketers to join the exchange, only to see the umpires intervene and cool things off. The altercation hardly distracted the Lankans as they went on to post 214 runs, their highest total against Bangladesh, riding on Mendis' 57 and a blistering 74 from Kusal Perera.Tamim-Liton registers the highestBangladesh going in to chase 215 runs had a change in plan - send Liton Das to open with Tamim Iqbal – in order to puzzle the Lankan attack with the left-right combination. The move worked wonders as the duo posted 74 – the Tigers’ highest for the first wicket and Bangladesh’s second best score in the first powerplay. The stand surpassed the previous best of 71, between Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar at the same venue when the Tigers toured Sri Lanka last year, while the best powerplay - 76 - had come against New Zealand in 2013. Liton, before getting dismissed off the second last ball of the sixth over, had acted as the aggressor as he hammered a 19-ball 43 with two boundaries and five over boundaries - his highest in the format. Tamim was the anchor, adding 27 off 16 balls to the partnership, and took charge when Liton left. The left-handed batsman made 47 in 29 deliveries before giving a return catch to Thisara Perera in the 10th over.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
