Bangladesh end nine-year wait to beat Sri Lanka

In Sylhet last year, Bangladesh needed 41 runs off seven overs to beat Sri Lanka. They only managed 37, and that defeat ended up being the crushing blow for them as they were knocked out of the Asia Cup from the group stage.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh needed 146 to get off to a winning start in their three-match Twenty20 Internationals series against Sri Lanka in Colombo and also end their nine-year wait to beat the Lankans.

When the 18th over ended, Bangladesh were still 25 runs away. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty was on 61 off 45 balls, and her counterpart Chamari Athapaththu came into bowl the penultimate over.

The first two balls produced two singles, and then Ritu Moni hit a four, and another single ensued.

The next ball, Nigar sent it flying over the ropes for a six, and the next ball for four with a sweep. Suddenly, Bangladesh needed only eight off the final over.

Ritu’s four in the first ball off the final over eased the tensions and even though she was run out in the fourth ball, Nigar held her nerve and ensured that Bangladesh found a six-wicket win, with her staying unbeaten on a magnificent 75 off 51 balls, an innings that had seven fours and two sixes, one each coming in that crucial 19th over.

“Feeling very good winning the first match of the series and that I could contribute here. I am very hopeful with my team that we can play good cricket in the next matches too,” a delighted Nigar said after the match.

Batting first, courtesy of Harshitha Samarawickrama’s 45, Athapaththu’s 38, and Nilakshi de Silva’s 29, Sri Lanka put 145-6 on board.

In reply, Bangladesh lost Shamima Sultana (5) and Rubya Haider (9) within the powerplay, and despite Sobhana Mostary’s 17 runs off 24 balls, Nigar ensured that the third-wicket partnership brought 51 runs off 39 balls.

Then, she and Ritu (33 off 23 balls) ensured that Bangladesh kept in touch with the asking rate as their partnership wielded 71 runs off 51 balls.

“We went ahead with the initial plan. Despite losing two early wickets, we tried to keep the run rate steady. When I and Ritu were at the crease, we said that we need to keep taking 7-8 runs per over to accelerate after the 15th over,” Nigar said about the partnership.

In the end, they managed to seal with a ball to go, with the skipper playing the leading role. Bangladesh will now hope to win again on Thursday, and put the series in the bag.