Mushfiqur Rahim scored a stunning century as Bangladesh recovered from a disastrous start to post a respectable 261 in the first match of the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh’s decision to bat first turned out to be a nightmare. Comeback man Lasith Malinga ran riot to leave the Tigers reeling at 1 for 2 at the end of the first over. The veteran pacer first accounted for Liton Das before dismissing Shakib Al Hasan for a duck on the very following delivery.
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 struck fighting fifties to bring their team on track.
With Malinga and Lakmal keeping things tight, neither of the two batsmen could manage to break the shackles. However, they held on to make sure Bangladesh does not find itself under more pressure. The hard-work paid as run started to come by. 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.
From there on Bangladesh kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 195 for 7 and then 203 for 8 at one stage. However, Rahim held firm from one end, reaching his sixth ODI ton to guide his side to a challenging total. After Bangladesh lost their ninth wicket, Tamim came out to bat and bravely faced the deliveries with just one hand. Rahim, however, made sure that his injured partner faces as minimum number of deliveries as possible. Rahim was the last man out after scoring a brilliant 144.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
#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
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
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
— Satyumm™ ?? (@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