Twitter Reactions: Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka to level the series 1-1

In the second T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Colombo, the visitors inflicted a big defeat on the hosts to draw the T20 series 1-1. Veteran left-arm-orthodox Shakib Al Hasan bowled outstandingly well picking up 3 important wickets (including in-form Lankan openers) for just 24 runs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 131 in 18 overs as the Bangla tigers accomplished a big 45-run victory in this match.

Apart from Kapugedera 50 (35b, 4sx5, 6sx1), no Lankan batsman showed guts to play out in the middle and rotate the strike. For Bangladesh, speedster Mustafizur Rahman’s 4 for 21 in the middle overs also did the major damage as he broke the Lankan middle order picking up three crucial wickets. Shakib and Rahman scalped 7 Lankan wickets together as the hosts looked completely incapacitated in their own backyard at Colombo.

Earlier, Bangladesh opted to bat first on winning the toss. The decision proved right as the visitors started off in a breezy style hitting 50 runs in just 4.5 overs. Both the openers contributed well with the bat as Imrul Kayes 36 (25b, 4sx4, 6sx1) and Soumya Sarkar 34 (17b, 4sx4, 6sx2) added a blazing 71-run stand for the first wicket before the Lankan part-timer Gunaratne sent Sarkar back to pavilion with a stunning returning catch in 6.3 overs.

Bangladesh tried to recuperate from this loss but Sabbir Rahman’s call for a single proved ominous as Kayes got dismissed while trying to run towards the wicket keeper’s end. Tharanga made no mistake collecting the ball and throwing to Perera as the latter took the bails off. Kayes fell short of the crease by quite a few centimetres.

Then Shakib Al Hasan 38 (31b, 4sx4) and S Rahman (19) built the innings with singles and doubles. They added 46-run for the third wicket before Lankan pacer Sanjaya bowled S Rahman out. Soon, Shakib Al Hasan also got bowled out off Kulasekara’s delivery. Bangladesh’s scorecard came down to 139 for 4 at 16th over.

They managed to score 37 more runs in the next four overs despite Malinga’s magnificent bowling at the 19th over as the Lankan speedster claimed his maiden hattrick in T20I format. Rahim (15) and Mortaza (0) were bowled out while Mehedi Hasan (0) was adjudged LBW in the three consecutive deliveries off Malinga in the 19th over. Bangladesh put 176 runs on the board after 20 overs.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Bangladesh’s victory: