In a thrilling encounter marked by controversy, Bangladesh emerged victorious against Sri Lanka with a narrow three-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday.
The match showcased a brilliant display of cricket, with Najmul Shanto’s exquisite 90 and Shakib Al Hasan’s resilient 82 steering Bangladesh to their second victory in the World Cup, as they made a strong bid for a spot in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Chasing a challenging total of 280, Bangladesh faced early adversity as opener Tanzid Hasan departed in the first over, courtesy of Madhushanka’s wicket. However, the dew factor later in the game came to Bangladesh’s aid, making batting under the floodlights more manageable.
One of the most captivating storylines of the match was the face-off between Shakib Al Hasan and Angelo Mathews, accentuated by the earlier ‘timed out’ dismissal appeal made by Shakib.
This appeal resulted in Mathews being declared out by the umpires, as he failed to face a delivery within two minutes of the prior batter’s dismissal.
The anticipation was palpable as fans eagerly awaited Mathews to roll his arm over and challenge Shakib.
In the first over, Mathews almost made an impact when Shakib powerfully lofted a drive to Charith Asalanka at short cover, only for the centurion of the first innings to drop a challenging catch, offering Shakib a vital lifeline.
Subsequently, Shakib and Shanto capitalised on this opportunity, crafting a magnificent 169-run partnership that nearly sealed the fate of the match in Bangladesh’s favor.
Just as it seemed the game was slipping away from Sri Lanka, Mathews stepped up his performance, achieving the wicket of Shakib. Mathews even bid Shakib farewell with a ‘time is up’ gesture, pointing to his watch and waiting for him to depart.
Mathews continued his remarkable performance by dismissing Shanto in the next over, adding a twist to the game and causing tension in the Bangladesh camp.
Some lackluster shots from Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz further intensified the contest. However, Tanzim Sakib held his ground and sealed the victory for Bangladesh with a decisive boundary, securing two crucial points for his side.
In the first innings, Sri Lanka adopted a cautious approach and struggled to accelerate their scoring rate. Their troubles worsened when Mathews departed, leaving the scoreboard at 135/5.
Charith Asalanka, however, displayed exceptional batting prowess, notching his second ODI century and guiding his team out of a precarious situation.
At one point, it appeared Sri Lanka might breach the 300-run mark, but a late collapse prevented them from completing their full quota of 50 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowling unit demonstrated praiseworthy efforts, with Taskin performing well with the new ball despite not claiming any wickets.
Shakib and Mehidy maintained a tight grip through the middle overs, though Tanzim faced some expensive spells. This match will be remembered for its drama, intense moments, and the incredible resilience displayed by both sides, culminating in a thrilling contest.
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