• Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh in a thrilling contest at Asia Cup 2022.

  • With the win, Sri Lanka also qualified for Super Four Stage.

Twitter reactions: Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka guide Sri Lanka to thrilling win over Bangladesh -Asia Cup 2022
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2022 (Image Source: Twitter)

In an absolutely thrilling contest, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh to qualify for the Super Four stage at the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday.

Chasing 184 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother, losing their four wickets for just 77 after 8.5 overs. Before Bangladesh bowlers could capitalize further, opener Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka partnered to steer their side out of hot waters.

Mendis and Shanaka kept the run rate higher and made sure to keep Sri Lanka in the game. The duo formed a vital partnership of 54 runs for the fifth wicket and were looking solid to cruise through. However, that’s when Bangladesh came back and picked up two wickets in quick succession to reduce Sri Lanka to 141/6 after 16 overs, and the Islanders still required 43 off the final four overs.

Sri Lanka further lost two more wickets as the equation reached eight needed off the final six deliveries. Tailender Asitha Fernando held his nerves and managed to take his team over the finish line with three balls to spare.

Highest targets successfully chased by Sri Lanka:

  • 194 vs Bangladesh Mirpur 2018
  • 184 vs Bangladesh Dubai 2022 *
  • 177 vs Australia Pallekele 2022
  • 175 vs India Colombo RPS 2018

Earlier, Bangladesh managed to post a competitive total thanks to the contribution from the lower middle-order. The Tigers were 88/4 after the 11 overs but still managed to reach 183/7 at the end. Afif Hossain (39 off 22), Mahmudullah (27 off 22), and Mosaddek Hossain (24 not out off 9) chipped in with crucial knocks to get the team’s total past 180.

Apart from the trio, opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz (38 off 26) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (24 off 22) played some handy innings at the top to ensure the run rate didn’t fall too low. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (2/41) and Chamika Karunaratne (2/32) picked up two wickets each.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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