Sri Lanka’s T-20 World Cup campaign is almost over following their two-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Dallas on Saturday. The former champions have now lost both their games in the group stage and face elimination from the 20-nation tournament.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s side still have an outside chance to go through provided results of other teams go in their favour but nothing is left in their hands now as Bangladesh along with South Africa are expected to go through.
Batting had been sloppy in their opening game against South Africa and although they got a good start against Bangladesh, the middle order failed to capitalize.
After Pathum Nissanka posted a blistering 47 from 28 balls and at 100 for three with six overs remaining, they were looking good to get 160. But poor batting saw them managing only 24 runs in the last six overs, in which stage they lost six wickets.
It was leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who helped Bangladesh pull things back with two wickets in two deliveries. Sri Lanka failed to get the scoreboard ticking from thereon and a target of 125 was well below par.
Bowlers did a stellar job despite sending down 12 wides but they had too little do defend.
Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets for 18 runs. Heading into the last two overs, Sri Lanka needed two wickets and had 12 runs to defend.
Dasun Shanaka was called up to bowl the penultimate over and he served a full toss which was duly dispatched by Mohammad Mahmudullah for six. The middle order batter ensured that Bangladesh got home with an over to spare.
Bangladesh had a shaky start losing three wickets for 28 runs inside the Power Play, but Towhid Hridoy hit three consecutive sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga to help his side recover.
Hasaranga went past Lasith Malinga’s tally of 107 wickets to become the highest wicket taker for Sri Lanka in T-20 Internationals but that was little consolation for the captain or the team.
