Bangladesh kept their series hopes alive with a thrilling 16-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second One Day International (ODI) played under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
After losing the first ODI by 77 runs earlier at the same venue, the visitors came back with a strong performance to hit up 248 and then bowled out the home side for 232 in 48.5 overs.
However, at one stage Kusal Mendis threatened to take the game almost single handedly as he smashed a 31-ball 56 with the help of one six and nine boundaries.
After his departure in the 12th over, Sri Lanka fell behind the required rate and the visitors soon took control of the situation through some accurate bowling spearheaded by Player of the Match Tanvir Islam.
The left-arm spinner finished with a superb five-wicket haul including the prize scalps of Kusal and Kamindu as Sri Lanka collapsed to 126 for five at the halfway stage of the innings.
But Janith Liyanage figured in a lone battle during the latter stages of the innings with a fighting half century and brought Sri Lanka close to the target by stroking seven boundaries and two sixes.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 248 runs having elected to bat. The visitors of course, lost their opener Tanzid Hasan early but they recovered well through a second-wicket partnership of 63 runs between Parvez Emon and Najmul Shanto.
The former went on to hit a superb 67 from 69 balls while counterattacking the Sri Lankan bowlers with the help of three sixes and six boundaries.
Thereafter, Towhid Hridoy held the middle order together with a determined batting performance before he was seventh out for a splendid 51, which included only two boundaries.
