In a thrilling encounter Bangladesh vs Sri lanka at Ahmedabad, Bangladesh emerged victorious against Sri Lanka, sealing a three-wicket win in a high-stakes battle that led to Sri Lanka’s elimination from the tournament. Chasing a challenging target of 280 runs, Bangladesh showcased exceptional determination and skill, securing the win with 53 balls to spare. This victory was not only a remarkable achievement for Bangladesh but also proved to be a crucial blow to Sri Lanka’s World Cup aspirations.
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A Gritty Chase and Key Partnerships
Despite losing Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das early in their chase, the Bangladeshi team exhibited resilience and composure. The crucial partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto and skipper Shakib Al Hasan steadied the ship. Their brilliant 169-run partnership kept the run rate under control and set the stage for a memorable chase. Although both Shanto and Hasan eventually departed, the rest of the Bangladeshi lineup ensured that they successfully completed the chase in just 41.1 overs with three wickets in hand.
This victory not only sealed Bangladesh’s win but also shattered Sri Lanka’s hopes of progressing to the World Cup semi-finals. For Sri Lanka, the wicket-takers were Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Angelo Mathews, each contributing with crucial breakthroughs.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Display
Sri Lanka’s innings was marked by a heroic century by Charith Asalanka, who played a valiant knock to propel his team’s score forward. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Tanzim Hasan Sakib, managed to contain Sri Lanka’s batting efforts. The pressure mounted in the death overs, leading to Sri Lanka losing wickets quickly. Shakib Al Hasan’s strategic timeout added to Sri Lanka’s woes, and the team struggled to recover.
Controversial Timed Out Dismissal
The most significant incident of the match took place when Angelo Mathews was controversially dismissed due to a “timed-out” decision. Mathews’s faulty helmet strap caused a delay of over two minutes since the fall of the previous wicket, resulting in a historic first in international cricket. Shakib Al Hasan appealed for Mathews’s dismissal, which was granted as per the tournament’s playing conditions. Mathews was sent back, and this unusual dismissal further fueled the drama in the game.
The Sri Lankan top order faced a formidable challenge from the Bangladeshi bowlers, resulting in early dismissals for Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perara, and Kusal Mendis. As the innings progressed, Sri Lanka managed to scrape their way to the 50-run mark, but it was clear that the Bangladeshi bowlers were dominating the game.
Bangladesh’s World Cup Journey
Bangladesh’s journey in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 had been a challenging one. While they had started the tournament with a victory against Afghanistan, they subsequently faced a series of defeats. In their previous encounter with Pakistan, they suffered a significant loss as both their batting and bowling units struggled.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup Campaign
Sri Lanka had a relatively promising start to the World Cup campaign but experienced setbacks in their last two matches, suffering defeats against Afghanistan and India. The defeat to India was particularly harsh, as they were bowled out for just 55 runs.
Key Highlights and Records
The game between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka featured several key highlights and noteworthy records:
- Bangladesh’s win elevated them to the 7th position on the World Cup points table, putting them ahead in the race to secure one of the last two spots at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
- The “Naagin Derby,” one of subcontinental cricket’s most captivating rivalries, added yet another chapter to its story. Bangladesh’s win against Sri Lanka played a significant role in their quest for the Champions Trophy.
- Angelo Mathews’s dismissal due to a timed-out decision marked the first instance of this rare dismissal in international cricket, causing controversy in the match.
- The historic win for Bangladesh saw them leapfrog Sri Lanka on the points table based on net run rate. With Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Sri Lanka all tied at four points, the race for the remaining two spots at the 2025 Champions Trophy has intensified.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match Conclusion
In a dramatic contest filled with twists and turns, Bangladesh prevailed over Sri Lanka, securing a three-wicket win that eliminated Sri Lanka from the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023. This victory not only added to Bangladesh’s World Cup journey but also had significant implications for the race to secure the remaining spots at the 2025 Champions Trophy. With the tension and excitement of the “Naagin Derby,” this match will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the tournament.
