Bangladesh looked poised for a competitive chase after early control with the ball. But a collapse in the middle overs turned the match on its head.
In Wednesday’s opening ODI, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 77 runs in a game full of momentum swings.
Set a target of 245, Bangladesh started confidently. Openers Tanzid Hasan and debutant Parvez Hossain Emon pushed the scoring rate close to six an over early on.
But the optimism didn’t last long.
Emon fell for 13, followed by a promising stand between Tanzid and Najmul Hossain Shanto. By the 10th over, Bangladesh had reached 61 for 1.
Tanzid scored a steady fifty off 51 balls. Shanto was later run out for 23. Then came the collapse.
A Middle-Order Collapse that Changed the Game
From 99 for 2, Bangladesh slipped to 103 for 5 in the blink of an eye.
Litton Das departed for a duck. Tanzid followed for 62. Towhid Hridoy managed just one run. Wanindu Hasaranga struck three times in seven balls.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and captain Shanto both walked back without scoring.
Suddenly, Sri Lanka was in control.
Despite a late resistance from Zakir Ali, who scored a fighting fifty off 58 balls, Bangladesh were bowled out for 167.
Asalanka Anchors Sri Lanka’s Innings
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh had started strong with the ball.
Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a duck. Tanjim Sakib, the young pacer, removed him in just the second over.
Taskin Ahmed chipped in as well, dismissing two more early, leaving Sri Lanka at 29 for 3.
Then came the rebuilding phase.
Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka took the score past 50 before debutant Tanvir Islam removed Mendis for 45.
Asalanka held his ground. He reached fifty off 61 balls and eventually brought up his century off 117 deliveries.
Sri Lanka ended on 244, bowled out in the final over.
Taskin Ahmed took four wickets. Tanjim Sakib claimed three.
But in the end, it wasn’t enough.
With Hasaranga at the helm, Sri Lanka’s bowlers didn’t give Bangladesh a chance to get close.
The second ODI is set to be a test of Bangladesh’s resolve.
