Bangladesh’s batting and fielding woes refused to go away as they conceded the one-day international series against Sri Lanka, going down by 61 runs in the second one-dayer at Mirpur on Thursday. Chasing a competitive 290 for victory on a good batting wicket, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals to give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the final ODI on Saturday.
While the Tigers’ batting performance was not up to the mark, their fielding display did not provide any inspiration either, as the hosts grassed four catches along with a couple of half-chances.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim only delayed the inevitable with an 83-ball 79 as the Lankans wrapped up the one-day series after a 13-run win in the first ODI on Monday.
Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara blasted his 17th one-day international century and was his usual dependable self as the visiting side posted 289-6 in their 50 overs after deciding to take first strike.
Pursuing the target, Bangladesh required big partnerships but all they got were starts. Although Mushfiq kept plugging away at one end, wickets kept tumbling at the other as the Tigers were all out for 228 in 43 overs.
Bangladesh’s batting was a classic case of a false dawn. Just when a partnership was starting to materialise, the batsmen lost their wickets, either due to a rush of blood or by falling prey to the Lankan bowlers’ traps.
The hosts were in early trouble, as opening batsman Shamsur Rahman was dismissed for nought, edging a catch to second slip Sachithra Senanayake, who took a fine diving catch off speedster Lasith Malinga.
Anamul Haque was starting to look good after the right-handed opener struck three successive fours off Malinga’s bowling in the seventh over.
As the second-wicket pair of Anamul and Mominul Haque was beginning to show promise, putting on 55 runs together, both the batsmen departed in quick succession.
Anamul was out leg-before-wicket to Thisara Perera for 42 off 46 deliveries, and Mominul departed after making 15 off 32 balls, nicking a catch to Sangakkara behind the stumps off the bowling of off-spinner Senanayake.
Mushfiq then joined hands with Sakib al Hasan, but after the fourth-wicket pair put on a quickfire 53 runs and appeared to be settling down, Sakib played one shot too many and skied a catch to Senanayake off Ashan Priyanjan. Sakib made 24 off 23.
Nasir Hossain then arrived at the crease, but after scoring 22 from 24 he too left the scene as he swept an Ajantha Mendis delivery straight into the hands of Kithuruwan Vithanage.
All the while, Mushfiq chipped away and played a lone hand. The diminutive batsman hammered five boundaries and two sixes, but at the other end Mahmudullah (one) was run out after a mix-up, and any faltering hope of a shocking win evaporated when Sohag Gazi (seven) and Mashrafee bin Murtaza (17) were dismissed.
Earlier, Sangakkara oozed sheer elegance after smashing an enterprising yet responsible 115-ball 128 with the help of 14 boundaries. In the process, the left-hander passed 1000 runs against Bangladesh in his 26th innings.
Together with Priyanjan (60 off 97), Sangakkara added 114 runs for the fourth wicket and 83 runs for the fifth with Angelo Mathews. Mathews struck 56 off just 39 balls and added respectability to the total. The Sri Lankan captain hit half-a-dozen boundaries and a solitary six.
Rubel Hossain was the most successful bowler for the home side with 3-76, but Bangladesh’s fielding did not improve from the first ODI. Nasir missed one , Mahmudullah let go of a sitter and Mominul dropped two as Bangladesh, at the end of the day, were left pondering what might have been had they held on to those opportunities.
Brief scores
Second ODI
Sri Lanka 289-6 in 50 overs (K Sangakkara 128, A Priyanjan 60, A Mathews 56 not out; Rubel 3-76) v Bangladesh 228 in 43 overs (Mushfiq 79, Anamul 42, Sakib 24, Nasir 22; Senanayake 2-33,
T Rerera 2-40, Mendis 2-43, Malinga 2-45).
Result: Sri Lanka won by 61 runs, Man of the match: K Sangakkara (SL)
-With New Age input
