Bangladesh secured a nail-biting two-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a thrilling encounter at Texas, marking a victorious start in Group D of the T20 World Cup.
Rishad Hossain emerged as the hero with a superb spell of leg-spin, restricting Sri Lanka to 124-9 after a strong start.
Liton Das (36) and Towhid Hridoy (40 off 20 balls) propelled Bangladesh forward before Nuwan Thushara’s impressive pace bowling (4-18) created late tension.
However, veteran Mahmudullah Riyad’s composed unbeaten 16 ensured Bangladesh crossed the finish line.
The match, played at the Grand Prairie Stadium, captivated the Dallas crowd with its exciting display on a lively surface that offered ample bounce.
Sri Lanka began swiftly, reaching 53-2 in six overs and advancing to 100-3 in 14 overs, led by Pathum Nissanka’s aggressive 47 from 28 deliveries.
Yet, Rishad’s consecutive strikes turned the tide, dismissing Charith Asalanka and captain Wanindu Hasaranga in quick succession. Dhananjaya de Silva’s dismissal further dented Sri Lanka’s progress.
Despite a late flurry, Sri Lanka managed only 24 runs in the final six overs, losing six wickets. Rishad concluded with career-best T20I figures of 3-22, while Mustafizur Rahman (3-17) and Taskin Ahmed (2-25) contributed significantly.
Bangladesh faced early setbacks, stumbling to 28-3 in the sixth over before Liton and Hridoy’s crucial 63-run partnership stabilized their innings.
Hridoy’s onslaught, including three consecutive sixes off Hasaranga, provided Bangladesh a vital boost. However, Thushara’s late strikes added drama.
Yet, Mahmudullah’s timely boundary eased nerves, sealing victory for Bangladesh.
Reflecting on the win, skipper Najmul Hossain praised his team’s effort and highlighted Liton and Hridoy’s contributions.
In contrast, Sri Lanka, having suffered defeats in both their opening games, lamented their batting failures. Captain Hasaranga emphasized the need for improved batting performances to support their strong bowling attack.
