Kumar Sangakkara continued his awesome batting form in Bangladesh as the Sri Lankan smashed 128 to secure the second ODI and the three-match series for his country at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. Sri Lanka won the match by 61 runs while for Bangladesh the ODI series defeat was the first at home since 2011. The ODI series win also secured all available trophies in the tour for Sri Lanka as they earlier won the Test and T20 series.
Both sides made a change from their previous match as the veteran Mashrafe bin Mortaza came in from Al Amin Hossain for the home side while Ajantha Mendis replace injured Nuwan Kulasekara in the Sri Lankan line-up.
Chasing 289 Bangladesh, facing a must-win situation after losing the first match, caved in under pressure and were dismissed for 228 with seven overs to spare. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 79 from 83 balls while Anamul Haque made 42 as none of the other batsmen were able to make any impact in front of the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Bangladesh batters had to be patient and avoid imprudent shots but their irresponsibility cost them once again as they literally gifted their wickets.
Shamsur Rahman was dismissed for a duck in the first over but Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque added 55 runs for the second wicket with the latter scoring the most. The islanders got the break through after Mominul was brilliantly caught behind by Sangakkara.
This didn’t bring down Anamul rather he kept on charging the Lankan bowlers before his innings came to an end in the 14th over. The dismissal made two senior members of the side; Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiq join in the middle. The duo did everything possible to keep the score board ticking until Shakib was caught at long-off by Sachitra Senanayake off a hideous swing to break the 53 runs partnership. He scored 24 off 23 and also became the highest ODI run scorer of the country.
Mahmudullah was unfortunate to get run-out scoring just one as he was sent back on his half way attempting a single by Mushfiq. While Nasir Hossain (22) after being in the middle for some time returned giving a dolly at deep square-leg. The dismissal ended any hopes the home side had as they were left reeling at 153 for five.
Mushfiqur propelled with singles, doubles and hitting boundaries when opportunity struck, but after his dismissal in the 41st over Bangladesh it was only a matter of time for Sri Lanka to wrap up the match.
Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. Bangladesh got regular wickets in the first 45 minutes into the innings. They had taken down three Lankan wickets with 63 runs in first 12 overs but yet the bowlers seemed to lose track as the fielders produced another poor catching exhibition.
Sangakkara paired up with Priyanjan (60) for the fourth wicket and they added 114 shift the momentum on their side. Skipper Angelo Mathews lifted the total with an unbeaten 56 off 39 balls, having added 83 for the fifth wicket with Sangakkara.
Fast bowler Rubel Hossain was the most expensive among the home side bowlers giving away 76 runs in his 10 overs for three wickets.
