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In an absolutely thrilling contest, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh to qualify for the Super Four stage at the 💮ongoin🐷g Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday.
Chasing 184 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother, losing their four wickets for just 77 after 8.5 overs. Before Bangladesh bowlers could capitalize further, opener Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka partnered to steer their side out of hot waters.
Mendis and Shanaka kept the run rate higher and made sure to keep Sri Lanka in the game. The duo formed a vital partnership of 54 runs for the fifth wicket and were looking solid to cruise through. However, that’s when Bangladesh came back and picked up two wickets in quick succession to reduce Sri Lanka to 141/6 afte🔜r 16 overs, and the Islanders still required 43 ofꦜf the final four overs.
Sri Lanka further lost two more wickets as the equation reached eight needed off the final six deliveries. Tailender Asitha Fernando held his nerves🌸 and managed to take his team over the finish line with three balls to spare.
Highest targets successfully chased by Sri Lanka:
- 194 vs Bangladesh Mirpur 2018
- 184 vs Bangladesh Dubai 2022 *
- 177 vs Australia Pallekele 2022
- 175 vs India Colombo RPS 2018
Earlier, Bangladesh managed to post a competitive total thanks to the contribution from the lower middle-order. The Tigers were 88/4 after the 11 overs but still managed to reach 183/7 at the end. Afif Hossain (39 off 22), Mahmudullah (27 off 22), and Mosaddek Hossain (24 not out off 9) chipped in w🌱ith crucial knocks to get the team’s total past 180.
Apart from the trio, opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz (38 off 26) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (24 off 22) played some handy innings at the top to ensure the run rate didn’t fall too low. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (2/41) and Chamika Karunaratne (2/32) picked up two wickets each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Sri L𝐆anka qualified for the Super Four phase of the ! 😉
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
🐭Kusal Mendis had luck ಞcoming from everywhere today.
Easy catch drop at 2
Called back due to no-ball at 29
Review not taken at 31
Run out miss at 44
Outside edge landing safely at 53
Finally out at 60— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Sri Lanka qualified for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup 2𝓡022.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Debutant 👑
📸 ACC
— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1)
Sri Lanka are througღh to the Super Four phase of after winning a nail-biter 👏 | 🎶 | 📝 Scorecard:
— ICC (@ICC)
Sweet Revenge. Bangladesh C♛oach told Sri Lanka had no world class bowler so their bowlers turned up with the bat tonight.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket)
Greatest rivalry. Baap of Ashes.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
Fifty by Kusal Mendis in 32 balls. A great innings in the🃏 run chase by Mendis.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Mos🔯addek Hossain in this Asia Cup for Bangladesh:-
48*(31) & 2.3-0-12-1.
24*(9).Best player of Bangladesh in this Asia Cup so f൲ar.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
In Ebadot's first two overs, he got Bangladesh to a position where Sri Lanka would need something incredible to happen for them to win.
I🍰n his next two overs he gifted them th꧅at incredible thing.
— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl)
Mosaddek Hossain is class! ❤️
— Saykot (@_Saykot)
Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets. | |
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers)