Bangladesh hold their nerve as battling Sri Lanka lose again

Mahmudullah produced the perfect performance in the finisher role to guide The Tigers over the line in their opening Men's T20 World Cup game in Dallas

Nick Howson | 08/06/2024 at 05:27

Dallas: Sri Lanka 124-9, Bangladesh 125-8 - Bangladesh won by two wickets

Bangladesh delivered a seismic blow to Sri Lanka's Super 8 chances with a dramatic two-wicket victory in the Men's T20 World Cup in Dallas.

Mahmudullah performed the finisher role to perfection with an unbeaten 16 from 13 balls as The Tigers chased 125 with an over and two wickets to spare to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Sri Lanka, beaten by South Africa in their opening game, made just 124 for 9 from their 20 overs as Mustafizur Rahman and player-of-the-match Rishad Hossain claimed three wickets each.

Opener Pathum Nissanka lashed 47 from 28 balls but none of his teammates passed 21.

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Nuwan Thusahara took 4 for 18 for the battling Sri Lankans (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

But Chris Silverwood's team never went away. Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thusahra both struck in the opening two overs of the chase and Bangladesh were 28 for 3 in the sixth over.

Towhid Hridoy (40) calmed the nerves as he and Litton Das put on 63 for the fourth wicket.

However, wickets continued to tumble and they still required 12 when Rishad was bowled trying a reckless drive and Taskin Ahmed was trapped lbw in successive deliveries by Thushara.

The crucial moment came in the next over bowled by former captain Dasun Shanaka whose first ball was dispatched for six by Mahmudullah.

Typical of a chaotic contest, Bangladesh got over the line via overthrows to get off to the perfect start.