SL VS BAN MATCH 5

That is it from this thriller match! There is one more match left in the group stage. On 2nd September, Pakistan will take on Hong Kong at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us a bit early for the build-up. Until then, it is goodbye and cheers!

Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 60 of 37 deliveries. He claims that he played his normal game early on and then took the bowlers on. When asked about being dismissed on a no-ball, he mentions that it was good to bat again, he wanted to finish the game and it was his day so he survived. Shares that he has played for Sri Lanka over the last 6 years. He knows his role and is learning every day. Ends by thanking the Lankan support.

Dasun Shanaka the captain of Sri Lanka is up next. Mentions that in the middle period when he was batting with Kusal Mendis the conditions seemed to but tough but they thought the target was achievable. He says that the openers did a really go job that was what they were lacking in the last game. Adds that the upper-order batters did well so they were able to chase down this total. Admits that he has thought of coming up the order but it works well for the team if he comes lower down the order. Admits that people ask why he doesn’t bowl but claims he will do whatever is necessary for the team. Says that when Chamika Karunaratne got run out he thought the game was over but Asitha Fernando played well and it is good to see youngsters doing well as this bodes well for Sri Lanka.

Shakib Al Hasan the skipper of Bangladesh is up for a chat. He says that their death bowling overs cost them the game and it is something they are looking to improve. Says they conceded too many runs in the last two overs but the credit goes to Sri Lanka.  Claims that they wanted to take wickets upfront so that was the reason they had to bowl a spinner in the last over. Mentions that if they look at their last six months they have not been able to be competitive but have done well to put up a fight in the last two games. Admits that it will be a different kind of challenge in Australia for the World Cup and they have a lot of work to do before that. Adds that he feels sorry for the Bangladeshi crowd who have always been behind them but they have disappointed them several times. He hopes to make them smile in future.

Time for the presentation...

Chris Silverwood, the Head Coach of Sri Lanka is up for a chat and he says that the surface was good enough to bat on and a couple of big overs helped them. Adds it was crucial to keep wickets in hand. When asked about the coded signs, shares that there is no rocket science but some are coded suggestions by the coaches for the skipper.

Bangladesh would have been thrilled with their effort with the bat as they put up a healthy total of 183 runs on the board courtesy of cameos from several batters. All five bowlers for Sri Lanka picked up wickets but a few of them were a touch too expensive. They had to chase down a record target in this competition and they put on a fighting performance to get there. This should boost their spirits ahead of the Super 4 games whereas Bangladesh will be packing their bags after a disappointing bowling display.

Bangladesh were unable to take early wickets but took two crucial wickets in the last over of the Powerplay to peg Sri Lanka back slightly. Ebadot Hossain was the one to get the breakthrough and ended up with three wickets in the game. They continued to chip away at the wickets but were not able to maintain control as the part-time spinners were taken to the cleaners. They will be very disappointed with the number of extras they conceded as they were unable to maintain discipline. They were really good in the field though taking almost all the chances that came their way. Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 wickets in his 4 overs and conceding just 24 runs. Shakib Al Hasan decided to bowl out his front-line bowlers and left an off-spinner for the end. That ploy backfired and they were unable to defend the total. They lost giving an extra run as they bowled a no-ball to end the innings. That summed up Bangladesh's performance in a crucial game.

Sri Lanka got off to a great start putting up a 45-run opening partnership but two quick wickets lowered their scoring rate. They kept losing wickets thereafter in an endeavor to pick up the scoring rate. Kusal Mendis got a lifeline as he was dismissed on a no ball and went on to notch up a half-century ending his innings on 60 runs of just 37 balls. Even after he was dismissed, Sri Lanka kept up with the scoring rate despite consistently losing wickets. They still had hope as long as their skipper Dasun Shanaka was at the crease. He made 45 runs in 33 balls to take them close but could not take his team over the finish line. It was cameos from Chamika Karunaratne and Asitha Fernando that sealed a convincing victory for the host nation of this tournament.

This has been a thriller and right till the end, there was no way of knowing which way the game will end. It will be Sri Lanka who progress to the next round of games and for Bangladesh, the tournament has come to an end. The Sri Lankan tail-enders held their nerves towards the end and sealed a wonderful victory chasing down the highest total in Asia Cup T20. They win by 2 wickets and with four balls to spare. This has been an absolutely entertaining affair.

NO BALL! Sri Lanka win the match! Ohhh, man! What a match this was! Flatter and on off. Asitha Fernando goes on his knee and pulls it to long on. The batters take two runs. A huge siren rings which indicate Mahedi Hasan has overstepped. The scores were level but the extra helps Sri Lanka cross the line. The Lankans win by 2 wickets and with four balls to spare.

FOUR! Asitha Fernando you beauty! This was always going to be hard for Bangladesh as they used all their pace bowlers in the start! Slightly short and outside off. Asitha Fernando slog-sweeps it in the gap to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Leg bye! Follows Maheesh Theekshana on the leg side with a quicker delivery. The batter misses his flick and it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.

Bangladesh are slow in overrate and they will have four fielders outside the circle. Another big situation in the game. 8 runs needed in 6 balls. Here is Mahedi Hasan.

FOUR! The extra delivery costing a boundary. That was on a length, outside off. Asitha Fernando stands still and lifts it over covers for a boundary. This is poor bowling by Ebadot Hossain.  17 runs coming of this over.

WIDE!  Way outside off. This was an easy call for the umpire.

Asitha Fernando makes his way out to the middle.