Bangladesh cricket team caused another upset by pulling off a 5-wicket victory over Sri Lankan in the last group stage match of the ongoing tri-nation series. With this victory, host Bangladesh secured a spot in the final, despite Bangladesh’s defeat in the first match against Zimbabwe. The match was reduced to 31 overs because of heavy fog in the morning, and thus, making 3 hours of delay. Winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful decided to field first. Sri Lanka managed only 147 runs after losing all the wickets with three bowls remaining in their innings. Shakib Al Hasan’s excellent batting display helped Bangladesh to reach the modest winning target after getting over the early setbacks.
Bangladeshi bowlers started off well as pacer Mashrafe Mortaza hitting twice in his first two overs, picking up the wickets of opener Upul Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara. Sanath Jayasuria and Captain Mahela Jayawardene then added 50-run in the third wicket partnership before Naeem Islam removed Jayawardene and Mashrafe dismissed half-centurion Jayasuria. No doubt, Mashrafe Mortaza played a big role in brining up a good start for Bangladesh, but debutant pacer Rubel Hossain, who was badly-treated by Jayasuria in the first spell, came back strongly stirring up a collapse in Sri Lankan middle order and lower order batting line up, and thus, Sri Lanka got all out only for 147. Rubel Hossain ended up taking 4 wickets for 33. The man who was most creditable behind Sri Lanka’s modest total was opener Sanath Jayasuria who scored a well-played half century, before being dismissed by Mashrafe. Mashrafe bagged three important wickets for Bangladesh.
Chasing down a luring target, Bangladesh got off to a poor start, loosing three wickets at 11. From then on, Shakib Al Hasan and Captain Mohammad Ashraful brought up 91 runs for the fourth wicket stand, helping Bangladesh to come out of early setbacks, keeping the host fans hopeful for a place in the final. Mohammad Ashraful got out on 26, but Shakib remained not out on 92 off 69 balls, guiding Bangladesh to reach the winning target, losing five wickets with 43 balls remaining in hands. Shakib Al Hasan was awarded man of the match for his match winning innings. Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament on Friday. Now, let us see if host Bangladesh can defeat Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament.
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