The three-match T20 series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is in an exciting position right now. After losing the first match against the visiting Sri Lanka by just three runs, the host team Bangladesh came back strongly in the second match. In the first match, the Bangladesh team failed to get 12 runs in the last over after an unbelievable innings by Mahmudullah Riyad and Zaker Ali Anik. After that loss, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second T20I match!
The second match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was also played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Like the first match, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hasan Shanto won the toss in this match as well. Bangladeshi bowlers failed to restrict Sri Lanka to a narrow margin in the first match but their performance in this match was praiseworthy. The visitors started their batting brilliantly and finally, the Bangladeshi bowlers returned the match well!
In the second T20 match, both teams entered the field with their unchanged squads. Two openers Avishka Farnendo and Kusal Mendis came to bat at the beginning of Sri Lanka's invitation to Bangladesh. Like the first match, Abhishka failed to bat in this match as well. But Kushal Mendis and Kaimindu Mendis gave Sri Lanka a good start. Both of them made a partnership of 67 runs. But after that, the story begins with the return of Bangladeshi bowlers to the match!
Sri Lanka lost five wickets at the stage of 112 team total. Later, Sri Lanka did not lose any more wickets but the team was not able to score the runs they wanted. Sri Lanka stopped at 165 runs after the scheduled 20 overs. Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain have bowled exceptionally well for Bangladesh. But these two players could not take any wicket.
Batting in reply to Sri Lanka's 166 runs, Bangladesh got off to a dreamlike start. Two openers Liton Kumar Das and Soumya Sarkar scored a partnership of 68 runs on the day. The two players collected 59 runs in the power play which set the stage for the match. Later, Liton and Soumya were dismissed but captain Nazmul Hasan Shanto and Towhid Hridoy steered the team to victory.
Captain Nazmul Hasan completed his half-century with a cool 38-ball. On the other hand, Towhid Hridoy remains unbeaten with 32 runs off 25 balls. For the fourth wicket, these two put on a remarkable partnership of 87 runs. As a result, the host Bangladesh team won the match very easily with a margin of 8 wickets. With this victory, Bangladesh returned to parity in the three-match T20 series. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face each other in the unscripted final in the remaining t20 match. Can Bangladesh keep up their performance in the last match?
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