Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I, Nidahas Trophy 2018: 5 Talking Points 

Going into the game, Sri Lanka were firm favourites especially after their performance against India in the first game of the tri-series.

They also were on course for their second win of the series during the half-way mark.

But, Bangladesh pulled off a heist as they chased down 215 (fourth-highest run chase in T20I history) to register a memorable win.

Mushfiqur Rahim’s 72 overshadowed Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis’ heroics in the first innings as Bangladesh got their first points of the tri-series on the board.

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#5 Sri Lanka maximise the powerplay once again

One of the reasons Sri Lanka were able to chase down 175 against India as they got off to a blistering start.

They scored 75 in the first six overs (powerplay) and that set them up for the run chase.

In today’s game against Bangladesh, they batted first but continued their approach of attacking in the powerplay.

They managed to score 70 runs in the first six overs even today. The openers, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka had put the Bangladesh bowlers under pressure straight away.

The first over set the tone for the innings. Taskin Ahmed was taken for 13 runs in the first over of the game. He then went for 22 runs in his second over (fourth over of the innings) and it was this over which injected impetus to Sri Lanka’s innings.

Even though the hosts lost Gunathilaka, they did not lose momentum as they reached 70/1 at the end of the powerplay.

All three pacers (Rubel, Taskin and Mustafizur) were taken for plenty. The bowlers were guilty of bowling short and were punished.

#4 The two Kusals and Tharanga help Sri Lanka post 214

Tharanga and Perera helped Sri Lanka finish with a flourish

Kusal Perera’s injury was a blessing in disguise for Mendis. The 23-year old right-hander started the year with a couple of superb knocks at the top of the order. He scored 53 and 70 in the two-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

And when Perera returned, Mendis continued to open as the left-hander was pushed to No. 3.

Mendis who had failed in the opening game against India, gave a good account of himself as he gave Sri Lanka a rocking start.

He scored 57 in just 30 deliveries (two fours and five sixes) as he set the base for a big score.

Fresh of a Man of the Match performance from the last game, Kusal Perera continued his rich vein of form as he helped Sri Lanka post a huge score of 214.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman scored 74 in 48 balls. His knock included eight fours and two sixes. He first shared a crucial 85-run partnership with Mendis for the second wicket and then added 55 along with Tharanga for the fifth wicket.

After Sri Lanka had a mini-collapse (where they lost three wickets in the span of 10 balls), Tharanga joined Perera. Despite losing key players, the duo continued the momentum and built on the brilliant platform and helped the hosts finish with a flourish. Tharanga remained unbeaten with a 15-ball 32.

#3 A day to forget for the bowlers

Most bowlers (including Mustafizur) were on the expensive side today

When more than 425 runs are scored in a game, the bowlers from both sides will have bad figures.

Batting first, Sri Lanka took full use of the powerplay as they scored 70 in the first six overs. They also scored 64 runs in the last five overs to post a huge total of 214. The Bangladeshi pacers have figures of 11-0-133-4 (Taskin Ahmed - 3-0-40-1, Mustafizur Rahman - 4-0-48-3, Rubel Hossain - 4-0-45-0).

In reply, Bangladesh also got off to a flier. They made 74 in the powerplay before Mushfiqur Rahim took over and smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the R Premadasa Stadium.

Nuwan Pradeep was not only the most successful bowler for the hosts but also the most economical one for them. He went for 37 runs in his 4 overs as the all other bowlers had an economy of over 10.

Hence, it was a day to forget for the bowlers as the batsmen made merry on a batting beauty.

#2 Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das replicate Sri Lanka’s start

Liton Das scored a 19-ball 43 to give Bangladesh the perfect start

When you are chasing a score of 215, you need to get a flying start and Bangladesh got that. Liton Das was promoted to open the batting with Tamim Iqbal and the decision paid off.

Right from the word go, Das and Iqbal took on the bowling and found the fence with ease in the powerplay.

Das, in particular, was in full flow. He struck five sixes in the powerplay and Iqbal supported him with some boundaries as well.

Bangladesh reached 74/1 at the end of six overs with Das departing for a 19-ball 43. After the right-hander was dismissed, Iqbal upped the ante and started scoring at a brisk rate. However, like his opening partner, he too couldn’t convert the start.

But Bangladesh got the start they wanted chasing 215.

#1 Mushfiqur Rahim helps Bangladesh to pull off a heist

Mushfiqur Rahim was brilliant despite suffering from a groin strain midway through his innings

When Bangladesh lost a well-set Iqbal they still needed 115 runs from 57 deliveries and with Bangladesh’s batting performance in the first game, Sri Lanka were favourites to pick up their second win on the trot.

However, Mushfiqur Rahim had some other plans as he batted beautifully.

He put together a couple crucial partnerships. First, he added 51 inside five overs with a struggling Soumya Sarkar (who made 24 in 22 balls).

After the latter’s dismissal, Rahim put on 42 in just three overs with skipper Mahmudullah to help Bangladesh on course for a memorable win.

However, there was another twist as Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman fell in the space of one over to raise the Sri Lankan hopes again. Mushfiqur was already struggling with a groin strain.

It was difficult for him to run freely but he continued to but through the pain. When Sabbir was runout, Bangladesh still needed 18 off nine, but Rahim struck a magnificent six on the fifth ball of the 19th over to reduce the equation to nine runs in the final over.

Those nine runs were knocked off in four deliveries as Bangladesh pulled off a heist. Rahim scored a scintillating 35-ball 72 (with five fours and four sixes) to single-handedly guided the Bangla Tigers to a memorable win.