Tri-series 2018 – BAN vs SL, 3rd ODI, Review: Bangladesh annihilate Sri Lanka in a one-sided encounter

Sri Lanka have now lost both their matches and will be eliminated unless they win both the remaining matches.

Published - 19 Jan 2018, 18:27 IST | Updated - 19 Jan 2018, 18:27 IST

2 Min Read

Bangladesh have trounced Sri Lanka by a whopping margin of 163 runs in the third match of the ongoing Tri-series in Dhaka. While the victory has almost confirmed the berth in the final for the home side, the visitors are on the brink after losing both their games now. They have to win both their remaining games now to save themselves from an early exit. However, it is the way they’ve lost which will worry the most as they didn’t even compete while chasing a stiff total.

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first with an aim to put Sri Lanka under pressure in the chase. The visitors were without their veteran Angelo Mathews who sustained a hamstring injury while batting in the last game. In his absence, Dinesh Chandimal took over the mantle of the side as they were forced to make yet another change with Dushmantha Chameera getting injured as well. He was replaced by Nuwan Pradeep to take the new ball along with Suranga Lakmal.

Hosts post a mammoth total

The Tigers got off to a trailblazing start with Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal taking advantage of the powerplay overs. The former once again got out in the 30s and became the bunny of Thisara Perera. The onslaught continued with Shakib Al Hasan joining Tamim in the middle. The things were getting ugly for Sri Lanka but Akila Dananjaya struck right in time to send back the left-handed opener for a well made 84 in the 30th over. There was no respite for the visitors as Mushfiqur Rahim hit the straps soon.

Another 50+ partnership for Bangladesh set them for a huge total with only 10 overs left. Shakib was dismissed in the process for 67 by Asela Gunaratne even as Rahim accumulated runs smartly also going for Dilscoop at times. Hewas well supported by Mahmudullah who scored a breezy 24. Both of them were dismissed at the fag end of the innings as the final push was provided by Sabbir Rahman who scored 19 runs off the final over with Bangladesh scoring 320 after 50 overs.

Sri Lanka were disappointing with the ball with only Dananjaya keeping a lid on the scoring rate. Perera ended with 3/60 and was the most successful bowler. They once again looked out of ideas in the death overs dishing out some easy deliveries.

The derailed chase

Sri Lanka, in response, never looked like threatening their opponents at any point during the chase. Kusal Perera failed to back up his brilliant knock against Zimbabwe and lost his wicket in the third over itself. The procession continued since then with the bowlers never letting them off the hook. All the batsmen got starts but no one dug in and played a big innings which was required. The likes of Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal looked promising while they were at the crease.

But everyone played false shots unnecessarily succumbing to the pressure of the soaring required run-rate. Shakib Al Hasan was again the major wicket-taker as he finished with 3/47 picking key scalps of Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera and Wanidu Hasaranga also affecting the run out of Chandimal. The skipper of Sri Lanka was the only hope for the visitors as he was the only who seemed to be comfortable in the middle.

In the end, they were skittled out for a paltry total of 157 agonisingly in 33rd over with Rubel Hossain cleaning up the tail. It was a complete performance from the hosts as they look unbeatable at home and are favourites to win this tri-nation series now. Shakib Al Hasan was named Man of the Match for his all-round performance once again.