Mashrafe Mortaza handed one match ban for slow over rate

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has been handed a one-match ban for the team’s slower rate during the recent limited overs fixture against Sri Lanka. The Bangladeshi side succumbed to a heavy 70 run defeat in the third and the final ODI of the series on Saturday. The ban will now result in Mashrafe Mortaza being ruled out of the ODI fixture against Ireland slated to be played on May 12. The Bangladeshi team will head to Ireland for the tri-nation series that involves New Zealand as the third participating team.

Their skipper will miss out on the series opener and that certainly will not help the cause of the Bangladeshi side that will be seeing this series as a preparatory series for their Champions Trophy 2017 campaign. As per the reports in the DailyStar, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza himself admitted that he has been handed a match ban for slow over rate in the third ODI. Talking about the series, the visitors had made a startling impact with a convincing win in the first ODI.

A majestic ton from Tamim Iqbal had set the tone for a thumping win for the Bangladeshi side. With the 1-0 lead in their favor, action moved to the second ODI. However, the ODI was washed out without a ball being bowled in the second innings.

The third and final ODI came with a prospect of Bangladesh registering a historic series win. On the other hand, the hosts Sri Lanka had their pride to play for. A thoroughly convincing bowling performance from them saw Bangladesh bundle out for 210 in 44.3 overs in response to Sri Lanka’s 280/9.

The series ended leveled with 1-1 for both the sides. The two teams will now play 2 T20Is at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The first T20I will be played on April 4 and the second match is scheduled to be played on April 6. Earlier on the tour, the visitors had stunned the hosts by leveling the 2 match Test series 1-1 as well.