Nuwan Thushara’s final over injected a thrilling twist into the late stages of the match, propelling Sri Lanka back into contention. His clinical dismissal of Rishad Hossain followed by a perfectly executed swinging yorker to dismiss Taskin Ahmed left Bangladesh reeling at eight wickets down, with 12 runs still needed for victory. It appeared as though the game was poised for a dramatic turnaround.
However, Bangladesh’s seasoned campaigner Mahmudullah stood firm at the crease, guiding his team across the finish line off the last ball of the 19th over, clinching victory for Bangladesh in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024.
While Sri Lanka’s late resurgence added excitement to the contest, the match was primarily shaped by Bangladesh’s exceptional bowling performance in the first innings. Mustafizur Rahman led the charge, utilizing shorter lengths and effective cutters to claim impressive figures of 3 for 17. Rishad’s three-wicket haul during the middle overs further dented Sri Lanka’s progress.
Mustafizur’s strategic bowling played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s struggles during the crucial middle overs, leading to their eventual collapse. Sri Lanka’s inability to find boundaries or rotate the strike against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack proved to be their downfall. Despite a spirited effort from their bowlers towards the end, Sri Lanka’s total of 125 for 9 appeared insufficient on a pitch that offered decent batting conditions.
