Asia Cup 2018, Match 1: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh - Five Talking Points
Updated - 10 Jan 2019, 02:01 AM
Bangladesh won the Asia Cup 2018 curtain-raiser against Sri Lanka convincingly by 137 runs against Sri Lanka. The Tigers played a fantastic cricket at the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A lot has happened to make it to the talking points of the day.
However, Bangladesh skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and elected to bat first. The opening pair Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das didn’t put much effort, and they lost their first wicket in the fifth ball of the very first over. The southpaw, Shakib Al Hasan also scored a golden duck, facing the last ball of the first over.
Meanwhile, in the middle, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun played extremely well and amassed 133-run partnership amongst them. Rahim scored a brilliant 144 runs off 150 deliveries, and Mithun scored 63 runs off 68 balls. Lasith Malinga bagged four wickets to his name.
Furthermore, in reply, Sri Lanka opening pair Upal Tharanga and Kusal Mendis looked furious to achieve the target of 262 runs. However, after the departure of Tharanga, Sri Lanka faced difficulties to score runs and to retain their wickets. They lost their six wickets within the twentieth over.
We take a look at five talking points from the match:
Mushfiqur Rahim Smashes His Sixth ODI century:
Mushfiqur Rahim has been an essential part of the Bangladesh team ever since he was a teenager. He didn’t quite get success as a captain. However, his credentials with the willow aren’t worth doubting by any stretch of the imaginations. He made his One-day International debut back in 2006 and hadn’t looked back ever since having scored nearly 10,000 runs at the international circuit.
However, he came down to build a partnership with Mohammad Mithun, who scored a half-century before being get rid by a slower delivery from Malinga. They build up 131 runs off 141 deliveries after which Bangladesh lost wickets at pretty quick succession.
From 134 for two in 25.3 overs, the team lost six wickets for 69 runs in the space of 103 balls.
Moreover, when Rahim was on 97, Bangladesh lost their vital wicket, and Mustafizur Rahman was the last man in.
In the fourth ball of the 44th over, Mustafizur took a single after which Mushfiqur drifted the ball past the wicketkeeper’s gloves to bring up his sixth ton.
Tamim Iqbal bats with a fractured wrist:
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal set a unique example of bravery when he came out to bat in the first match against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2018 with a fractured wrist.
However, earlier during the day, a bouncer from Suranga Lakmal struck Iqbal’s hand while he attempted to play a pull shot. Having left the field soon after suffering the blow, Iqbal went straight to a hospital and had an X-Ray which revealed a fracture. He was later spotted with a sling around his left arm but came out to bat again, partnering Rahim who was then unbeaten on 112.
The southpaw batted with one hand during his partnership with Rahim that lifted Bangladesh to a total of 261. Later was sported a tape holding his fingers and wrist together. Thus, he will miss the remainder of the Asia Cup which will come as a huge blow for the Bangladesh side.
Lasith Malinga adds his name in the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup:
The slinging legend had made his comeback into the Lankan ODI team with a bang. This could be a perfect opportunity for him if he is at his best and helps his team in winning the tournament. Injuries and poor form marred him before being out of the side.
The veteran fast bowler had been written off after his poor exploits against India last over, and thus remained out of the side for over 12 months.
However, Malinga got himself in the playing XI in the match against Bangladesh. Moreover, he picked up the first two wickets of Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan and started his journey on a good note.
Moreover, he also took the wicket of Mohammad Mithun who was looking dangerous with Muhfiqur Rahim. He added his name in the most wicket taker in the Asia Cup. This list is dominated by Sri Lankans. Malunga is at number two.
From 2004 to the last edition in 2016, the Sri Lankan fast bowler took 28 wickets in 13 Asia Cup matches at an average of 19.03. The fast bowler with the unique sling-arm action has an Asia Cup economy rate of 4.75. He has bowled a total of 112.1 overs and given away 533 runs. In the 2014 final in Dhaka, Malinga took five for 56 against Pakistan to help Sri Lanka clinch the title.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun scored a brilliant knock of 133 runs:
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun played exceptionally well and scored 133 runs partnership amongst them. Rahim scored an excellent 144 runs off 150 deliveries, and Mithun scored 63 runs off 68 balls.
However, at one point of time, Bangladesh lost their two wickets by only a single run on their board. The duo played the fabulous innings and put up a good show. Their 133-run stand helped their nation to post a target of 262 runs to the opponents. They played some excellent cricketing shots and provided six sixes and sixteen boundaries from their bat.
The duo will try to keep their consistency to put pressure on the next game. Eventually, this is a good comeback to the Bangladeshi side from both the players.
Run out of Dasun Shanaka:
There was massive loss of Dasun Shanaka wickets as he got run out while scoring seven runs. There was slight hesitation between Shanaka and Angelo Mathews. Mathews called for a run, and after a moment he said a big no when Shanaka already crossed the halfway.
Shanaka was looking good in the field. He was trying to face and judge every ball and play accordingly. There was a brilliant throw from Shakib and Mehedi Hasan did the rest.
Meanwhile, after his departure, Mathews also couldn’t do much, and he got out by an LBW.
