Colombo: Bangladesh pulled off a memorable record chase to stun Sri Lanka by five wickets in the Nidahas T20I Tri-Series here on Saturday, ending their recent run of reverses against the islanders owing to Mushfiqur Rahim’s belligerent 35-ball 72.
Chasing a mammoth 215 in the stipulated 20 overs, Bangladesh crossed the line in 19.4 overs for the loss of five wickets. This was the fourth highest run chase in T20 Internationals and Bangladesh’s best.
Blazing half-centuries by Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera had powered Sri Lanka to a formidable 214 for six after Bangladesh opted to bowl.
When his time to bat came, Mushfiqur slammed four sixes and five boundaries during a smashing knock.
Needing nine off the last over, Mushfiqur slashed Thisara Perera for a boundary to inch closer to victory. Before that, the experienced wicketkeeper hit a six after 19 were required in the last two overs.
If the Lankans were off to a flyer, Bangladesh’ start was blistering as they raced to 74 in just six under overs, before Liton Das’ whirlwind 19-ball 43-run knock came to an end.
The Tigers continued to roar as Tamim Iqbal (47) and Soumya Sarkar (24) kept up with the required run rate to reach 100 in the 10th over.
However, having blazed away to 47 off 29 balls with the help of six boundaries and a six, Tamim offered a return catch to Thisara Perera in the over they got to the three-figure mark. That was Thisara’s 50th wicket in T20 Internationals. Liton Das had smashed five sixes and two fours.
The experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and skipper Mahmudullah then joined hands in the middle.
Mushfiqur seemed determined to take his side as close to the target as possible, hitting Shanaka for a six and four off successive balls in the 12th over. They needed 112 at the back 10 at little over 12 runs an over.
Earlier, Mendis (57) and Perera (74) toyed with the Bangladesh attack with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, to the delight of the home crowd at the Premadasa Stadium.
