Bangladesh Square Series with Thumping 83-Run Win Over Sri Lanka in Dambulla
By Brian Thomas
Bangladesh emphatically levelled the T20 series, crushing Sri Lanka by 83 runs in the second T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. It was a stunning comeback performance highlighted by explosive batting and disciplined bowling.
Litton Das Leads the Charge
Opener Litton Das starred with a scintillating 76 off 50 deliveries, striking one four and five sixes. His counter-attacking innings came at a crucial stage after Bangladesh had slumped to 78 for 4 in the 12th over.
Das found a capable partner in Shamim Hossain, who smashed 48 off just 27 balls at a strike rate above 170. Together, they stitched a vital 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket, rescuing Bangladesh from a precarious position.
The turning point came when Kusal Mendis missed a straightforward stumping off Jeffrey Vandersay, giving Das a reprieve on 26. Later, Maheesh Theekshana dropped him on 60—mistakes Sri Lanka would come to rue.
Late Surge Powers Bangladesh
After a slow start, Bangladesh exploded in the final overs, adding 76 runs in the last six. The late blitz took them to a competitive total of 177 for 7 on what was considered a batter-friendly surface with a par score of 165.
Towhid Hridoy chipped in with 31 off 25, while other batters failed to make significant contributions.
For Sri Lanka, Binura Fernando was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3 for 31. Thushara and Theekshana each took a wicket for 30 runs. Vandersay endured a tough outing, finishing wicketless for 40—largely due to missed chances in the field.
Sri Lanka Collapse in Run Chase
Sri Lanka’s chase never got going. In-form opener Kusal Mendis was run out for just 8, sparking confusion and disappointment among the home crowd. From there, the hosts crumbled to their lowest T20 total at home—bowled out for 94.
Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 32, but he never looked fluent. Dasun Shanaka managed 20, while the rest of the batting lineup registered single-digit scores.
Bangladesh Bowlers Shine
Bangladesh’s bowling attack was clinical. Rishad Hossain was the standout performer with figures of 3 for 18, while Shoriful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin chipped in with 2 wickets each. Their fielding effort was equally sharp, applying pressure throughout the innings.
Looking Ahead
With the series now tied at 1-1, the decider is set to take place in Colombo on July 16. Sri Lanka will be under pressure to bounce back, and the hosts can no longer rely solely on Kusal Mendis to carry the batting load. The rest of the lineup must step up if they hope to reclaim the series.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will take confidence from their all-round performance—both with the bat and in the field—as they look to seal a rare series win on Sri Lankan soil.
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