Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto expressed relief after his side registered a nail-biting two-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas Saturday [BST].
Bangladesh got off to a winning start in the 20-nation tournament but on the back of yet another dismal performance by the batting unit.
Chasing 125 on a surface that had a little help for the bowlers, Bangladesh were able to cross the line with six balls to spare from a position where the side needed only 25 runs in the last five overs with five wickets in hand.
Bangladesh lost three quick wickets in Shakib al Hasan [eight], Rishad Hossain [one] and Taskin Ahmed [nought] before Mahmudullah took the side to victory in the 19th over.
“I don’t think I have ever played such a pressure match in my career. I am just happy that we won the game,” said Shanto to the media following the match.
The win for Bangladesh has come after the embarrassing 2-1 series defeat to hosts USA ahead of the world event.
Shanto said the team gave 120% against Sri Lanka, and also praised the side’s body language.
“Our body language was great. We gave our 120% I believe. We have been setting different game plans over the last 10-15 days. The fielders were on point on the field. Our bowlers have bowled really well, but on a wicket like this we should have won this easily,” said Shanto at the press conference.
Bangladesh once again suffered a top-order debacle, losing Soumya Sarkar [nought], Tanzid Hasan Tamim [three] and Shanto [seven] early in the game.
The shaky start was recovered by Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy who put on 63 off 38 deliveries for the fourth wicket.
Liton has been part of the recent Bangladesh top-order batting troubles but on the day the right-handed wicketkeeper-batter broke the shackles and added 36 off 38.
Hridoy finished with a blazing 20-ball 40 laced with a hat-trick of sixes that proved to be the turning point in the Bangladesh innings.
“Getting into runs was very important for Liton. He's been struggling a bit recently, but he showed his skill at a crucial situation. I think he batted really well. Hridoy was really courageous. The way he played that over really helped us," said the Bangladesh captain.
