In this article, we will discuss the thrilling encounter between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2024. Bangladesh emerged victorious by two wickets in a nail-biting finish that highlighted the intense competition and skill displayed by both teams.
Despite a late scare from Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara, Bangladesh’s experienced campaigner Mahmudullah managed to guide his team to victory off the penultimate ball. This match was a showcase of exceptional bowling performances, particularly from Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain, which played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s success.
Sri Lanka’s total of 125, rather than crashing out in double figures like they did against South Africa, was due to opener Pathum Nissanka. He struck seven fours and a six, favoring the leg side, and maintained a strike rate of 168 during his 28-ball innings.
The turning point for Sri Lanka’s innings, after which they managed only two intentional boundaries, was when Mustafizur dismissed Nissanka with a cutter towards the end of the ninth over. Until then, Sri Lanka’s run rate was above 7.50. Afterwards, it fell below five.
The decisive moment in Sri Lanka’s innings occurred in the final seven overs. They had started the 14th over in a decent position at 100 for 3 but then collapsed. Rishad dismissed Charith Asalanka, who was caught slog sweeping at deep square leg, and then trapped Hasaranga at slip with a ball that dipped and gripped.
This double strike pushed Sri Lanka into a tailspin, losing their next six wickets for 25 runs. Only one boundary was hit in the last six overs, as batters repeatedly tried cross-batted shots against bowlers varying their pace and got themselves out, almost in frustration. Rishad got his three wickets in this period, and Taskin, Mustafizur, and Tanzim Hasan each took one.
The match was largely decided by Bangladesh’s exceptional bowling. Mustafizur Rahman was outstanding, utilizing shorter lengths and cutters to secure figures of 3 for 17. Rishad Hossain also played a crucial role with his three wickets during the middle overs, keeping Sri Lanka’s run rate in check.
Mustafizur’s pivotal role during the middle overs hastened Sri Lanka’s collapse, which ultimately saw them struggle to find boundaries or rotate the strike against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling. Their final score of 124 for 9 was always going to be difficult to defend, even though their bowlers managed to create a thrilling finish.
Given how close the match was in the end, Towhid Hridoy’s four sixes – all against Hasaranga – also had a significant impact. Notably, three of these came in succession at the beginning of the 12th over. The first two were slog sweeps, and the third was a beautiful inside-out shot over cover.
Hasaranga trapped Hridoy lbw next ball, but Hridoy had already dealt crucial blows. These sixes gave Bangladesh the buffer they needed to stutter towards the end and still win with two wickets in hand and one over to spare.
With five overs remaining, Bangladesh needed only 25 runs with five wickets in hand and their two most experienced batters – Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah – at the crease. However, Shakib was dismissed trying to uppercut a Matheesha Pathirana short ball, with Maheesh Theekshana taking a spectacular diving catch at deep third.
Sri Lanka’s slinger, Thushara, then took two wickets in two balls in the 18th over – first bowling Rishad who attempted an inside-out shot over cover, and then trapped Taskin with a yorker aimed at leg stump.
Thushara had three balls left in the over, with Bangladesh still needing 12 runs. Sri Lanka’s best chance of stealing victory was for him to get another wicket before his spell ended, but Tanzim Hasan Sakib survived, and Mahmudullah took strike in the next over.
Nuwan Thushara’s final over nearly swung the game back in Sri Lanka’s favor. He bowled Rishad Hossain and then trapped Taskin Ahmed lbw with a pinpoint yorker, leaving Bangladesh at 8 wickets down and needing 12 more runs to win.
In the next over, bowled by Dasun Shanaka, Mahmudullah hit a thigh-high full toss into the deep square leg stands to ease Bangladesh’s nerves. However, with two runs needed and wanting to keep strike off the last ball of the 19th over, Mahmudullah took a risky single to mid-off and would have been out if Wanindu Hasaranga had hit the stumps. Instead, the throw missed and went for overthrows, allowing Bangladesh to limp over the line.
However, the experienced Mahmudullah was at the crease, and despite some tense moments, he steered Bangladesh to victory off the last ball of the 19th over.
Sri Lanka – 124/9 (20.0)
Bangladesh –125/8 (19.0)
Result – Bangladesh won by 2 wickets
Player of the match – Rishad Hossain
Rishad Hossain
Sri Lanka | Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara |
Bangladesh | Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed |
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