M🍃🎶ushfiqur Rahim hit 144 as Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka by 137 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2018 on Saturday.
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza opted to bat first after winning the toss which was followed by a nightmare start for his team. Lasith Malinga struck twice in the first over to leave the Tigers 1-2, but Mushfiqur’s sixth ODI century took them to 261 all out from 49.3 overs.
Chasing 2ꦉ62, Upul Tharanga gave a flying start to Sri Lanka with a quickfire 27 off 16 balls. But some disciplined bowling from the Banglad🎐eshi bowlers put the pressure back on Sri Lanka who lost first 4 wickets by adding just 38 runs.
Angelo Mathews & Co. was never in the chase; they lost wickets at regular interval and were eventually bowled out for 124 in 35.2 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim was named the player of the match for ꦺhis match-winning knock.
Player of the Match : .
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers)
Bangladesh will now face Afghanistan in the last grou💦p match on September 20.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Bangladesh thrilling win:
Wonderful win for Bangladesh, completely outplayed Sri Lanka. Mushfiqur Rahim 's knock was one of the best ever in Bangladesh history.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Respect to Tamim 𝓰for coming out to bat deജspite a fractured wrist.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
Well played Bangladesh. Top innings from Mushfiqur and delighted to see the Fizz looking fit and bowli🎀ng as he can
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Mushfiqur Rahim is really pleasant to watch. This might be a stretch to many, but on his day, he really does remind me o🍌f Sachin Tendulkar. Fluid, correct technique, effortless flow, diminutive!
— Mohamed Zeeshan (@ZeeMohamed_)
champions get🌺 g𝓀oing when the going gets tough 💪👏👏��.
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt)
He’s batted in that heat for 48 overs!! Fought a lonely battle post the 25th over … This is an incredible knock from .. Pow Wow ! Unforgettable stuff this
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru)
Mushfiqur Rahim (144 off 150 balls) beat Sri Lanka (124 all out) by 20 runs in tℱhe opener.
This is the FIRST instance of ꧑a Bangladeshi batsman outscoring the other team (min. 100 runs).
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi)
Mushfiqur….No Fikar. What. A. Knock. Best by a Bangladesh batsman in ODI cricket. Walked in it to save the hattrick…last man to get out. Well played.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Mushfiqur Rahim's 144 off 150 balls against Sri Lanka is-
-Highest by a Bangladesh batsman in Asia Cup history.
-Jo🐼intly second highest by a batsman in Asia Cup.— Imran Hasan (@Imranhasan02)
franchises should be seriously looking at Mushfiqur Rahim… This guy can really bat, if you can discount his "nagin" dance!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
The Bangladesh bowlers had to bowl really well after such an insp𒈔iring batting performance from Mushfiqur 💜Rahim and that moment of magic from Tamim Iqbal.
They did a good job bﷺowling out Sri Lanka for 124, winning by 137 runs in the Asia Cup opener.
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84)
If there was any doubt, and I’ll admit I did have some doubt, but not any more. There’s most definitely a power shift in Asian cricket and Bangladesh are a real blooꦬdy force in limited overs crickeꦕt. Miles ahead of Sri Lanka
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK)
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by massive 137 runs, with a poor NRR just a win against Afghanistan might not be enough for Sri Lan🐎ka to go to the next round, Sri Lanka might need Bangladesh’s support by beating Afghanistaꦓn
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen)
Fighti♑ng knock from haven’t been short of spirit in this game, excellent come backs with in this game, giving it all they got
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
