Asia Cup 2018: Twitter Reacts As Bangladesh Thrash Sri Lanka In Opener
Updated - 16 Sep 2018, 02:11 AM
Riding on Mushfiqur Rahim’s brilliant century and a fine bowling performance, Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka by 137 runs to start their Asia Cup campaign in a thumping manner.
Chasing 262, Sri Lanka were off to a mixed start. While they lost Kusal Mendis for a duck, Upul Tharanga played some big shots to ease off the pressure. However, once Mashrafe Mortaza dismissed Tharanga for 27, the floodgates opened as Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Even before they could cross the 50-run mark, they were 4 wickets down.
Any hopes of putting up a challenge soon ended when Rubel Hossain dismissed Angelo Mathews for 16 to reduce the Islanders to 63 for 6. By the time, they huffed and puffed to 100, the writing was very much on the wall as they found themselves 8 down. Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for just 124.
Earlier in the game, Mushfiqur Rahim scored his career-best 144 to help Bangladesh recover from a disastrous start and post a challenging 261.
Mashrafe Mortaza’s decision to bat first backfired. In the very first over, comeback man Lasith Malinga dismissed Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan. The veteran pacer first made Liton edge one to the slip cordon before castling Shakib to leave Bangladesh reeling at 1 for 2.
Bangladesh then suffered another huge blow in the very following over when their batting mainstay Tamim Iqbal retired hurt after suffering a blow on his hand.
Things could have further deteriorated for Bangladesh but luck was on their side as Sri Lanka dropped Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun. Both the batsmen made full use of the reprieve as they shared a century-plus stand to bring their team on track.
Both the players stitched together an 133-run stand before Sri Lanka took three quick wickets.
Malinga broke the stand by dismissing Mithun for 63. Two runs later Amila Aponso sent back Mahmudullah before Malinga removed Mosaddek Hossain to reduce Bangladesh to 142 for 5 from 134 for 2.
Mushfiqur, however, held firm from one end, scoring a brilliant century to guide his side to a challenging total. Rahim was the last man out after scoring a brilliant 144 with the help of 11 fours and 4 sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
If there was any doubt, and I’ll admit I did have some doubt, but not any more. There’s most definitely a power shift in Asian cricket and Bangladesh are a real bloody force in limited overs cricket. Miles ahead of Sri Lanka #AsiaCup #SLvBAN
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) September 15, 2018
The Bangladesh bowlers had to bowl really well after such an inspiring batting performance from Mushfiqur Rahim and that moment of magic from Tamim Iqbal.
They did a good job bowling out Sri Lanka for 124, winning by 137 runs in the Asia Cup opener.
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) September 15, 2018
So much respect for Mortaza…the bowler who’s making the most of what he’s got. And the captain who’s always few overs ahead of the game. #AsiaCup #SLvBan @StarSportsIndia
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 15, 2018
Forget Rahim's century, remember the situation. 2 wkts in 1st over & Tamim injured, Congratulation Bangladesh. Believe in Sri Lanka, will qualify for Super4. Lasith Malinga was all class. #AsiaCup #LKA
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) September 15, 2018
May be its okay that Malinga was out of this side. He do not belong to a team like this. This is shit #lka #SLvBAN
— Saminda Kularathne (@KSSKsam) September 15, 2018
Mathews is too low at 5. Just like Misbah was for Pakistan. If you’re the best batsman in the side, you ought to bat in the top 4 in a 50-over game. #AsiaCup #SLvBan
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Omeralvi_/status/1041021816754655239
#IPL franchises should be seriously looking at Mushfiqur Rahim… This guy can really bat, if you can discount his "nagin" dance!#AsiaCup2018 #SLvBan#BanvSL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 15, 2018
Mushfiqur….No Fikar. What. A. Knock. Best by a Bangladesh batsman in ODI cricket. Walked in it to save the hattrick…last man to get out. Well played. #AsiaCup #SLvBan
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 15, 2018
What a day @mushfiqur15 has chosen to post his highest score in ODIs! #AsiaCup #BANvSL
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) September 15, 2018
From what I have observed in the last 5 or so years, Tamim also has tremendous respect for Mushfiqur Rahim who recently told me how he admires Tamim's simple thinking.
This is truly an uplifting moment in Bangladesh cricket.
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) September 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/AleyFarooqq/status/1040984720555814912
When it comes to #lasithmalinga it was a question of fitness never about skill, bowling at (135-140kph) avg…. with swing , he has certainly put that to rest #SLvsBAN #AsiaCup2018
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 15, 2018
#AsiaCup Mushfiqur Rahim is really pleasant to watch. This might be a stretch to many, but on his day, he really does remind me of Sachin Tendulkar. Fluid, correct technique, effortless flow, diminutive!
— Mohamed Zeeshan (@ZeeMohamed_) September 15, 2018
Massive blow for @BCBtigers .. Fractured wrist rules out Tamim Iqbal from the rest of the tournament .. #asiacup2018
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) September 15, 2018
Mushfiqur Rahim – 144
Only Virat Kohli 183 has made a higher score in #AsiaCup— Khurram Siddiquee (@iamkhurrum12) September 15, 2018
Respect to Tamim for coming out to bat despite a fractured wrist.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 15, 2018
1000WW
000000Malinga's 1st 2 overs on return. Lost nothing the yorker king. ? #AsiaCup #LKA
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) September 15, 2018
1000WW – Lasith Malinga's first over after more than a year. What a champion! ?? #SLvBAN #LKA
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) September 15, 2018
Like old times for Sri Lanka. #Malinga
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 15, 2018
Credit for Skip @Angelo69Mathews & Coach @CHathurusinghe for bringing back Lasith Malinga despite objections from some, Malinga/Lakmal will be a good opening bowl pair in ODIs #Cricket
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) September 15, 2018
Mohammad Mithun saving Bangladesh #BanvSL pic.twitter.com/hc6yxGQU3P
— Abdul Ahad Jawaid (@abdulahadjawaid) September 15, 2018
Hello World Malinga is back! #AsiaCup
— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) September 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1040934629375541249
A big middle finger already from Malinga to all the naysayers #onahattrick #already #AsiaCup2018
— Waruna Tennakoon (@warunanc) September 15, 2018
1st Over: 1…WW
Malinga Slinga Is Back With A Bang??
Tough Day For Nagins ???#AsiaCup #BANvSL #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/Htxb0O07fH
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 15, 2018
Good luck to all sides, and to the Naagins as well. #AsiaCup2018
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 15, 2018
Team Bangladesh practices NAAGIN dance Ahead of #AsiaCup2018 ? #BANvSL pic.twitter.com/WrigWc5wZR
— thatIncognitoGuy (@ChaiPremi) September 15, 2018
For the first time in the history of Asia Cup that two wickets fell in the first over of an innings.
Two wickets fell in the first over of an innings on two different occasions during the Asia Cup T20 in 2016. #BANvSL #AsiaCup2018
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) September 15, 2018
Mind the self imploding glass doors at the dressing-room of Dubai International Stadium. Sri Lanka playing Bangladesh and the scoreline not so good. Godfrey Dabrera not here, sadly. #BANvSL #AsiaCup2018 #NidahasTrophy #youremember pic.twitter.com/zYM887uFOa
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) September 15, 2018
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Sri Lanka national cricket team
