Sabbir special sees off Sri Lanka challenge

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2016, Mirpur
Bangladesh, opting to bat, made a poor start when Angelo Mathews, captaining in place of the missing Lasith Malinga, trapped Mohammad Mithun lbw off the second ball© AFP
© AFPBangladesh, opting to bat, made a poor start when Angelo Mathews, captaining in place of the missing Lasith Malinga, trapped Mohammad Mithun lbw off the second ball
Nuwan Kulasekara accounted for Soumya Sarkar, and Bangladesh were soon tottering at 26 for 3© Associated Press
© Associated PressNuwan Kulasekara accounted for Soumya Sarkar, and Bangladesh were soon tottering at 26 for 3
Enter Sabbir Rahman© Associated Press
© Associated PressEnter Sabbir Rahman
Sabbir led a one-man effort, stroking a 54-ball 80, more than 50% of his team's total score© Associated Press
© Associated PressSabbir led a one-man effort, stroking a 54-ball 80, more than 50% of his team's total score
Sabbir and Shakib Al Hasan added 82 runs for the fourth wicket, as Bangladesh looked for a late push© Associated Press
© Associated PressSabbir and Shakib Al Hasan added 82 runs for the fourth wicket, as Bangladesh looked for a late push
Runs were hard to come by after Sabbir's dismissal, but Bangladesh huffed and puffed their way to a competent 147 for 7© Associated Press
© Associated PressRuns were hard to come by after Sabbir's dismissal, but Bangladesh huffed and puffed their way to a competent 147 for 7
Sri Lanka were sedate throughout the chase, and Tillakaratne Dilshan was the first to depart, for 12© Associated Press
© Associated PressSri Lanka were sedate throughout the chase, and Tillakaratne Dilshan was the first to depart, for 12
The dismissal came courtesy a stunning catch from Soumya, who charged to the boundary all the way from long-off and held on to the ball with both hands© Associated Press
© Associated PressThe dismissal came courtesy a stunning catch from Soumya, who charged to the boundary all the way from long-off and held on to the ball with both hands
Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with a run-a-ball 37, but Bangladesh kept striking at regular intervals to wrest the advantage. Al-Amin Hossain ended with figures of 3 for 34© Associated Press
© Associated PressDinesh Chandimal top-scored with a run-a-ball 37, but Bangladesh kept striking at regular intervals to wrest the advantage. Al-Amin Hossain ended with figures of 3 for 34
The visitors couldn't cope with the high asking rate and had to settle for 124 for 8, ensuring Bangladesh completed a 23-run win - their second of the tournament© Associated Press
© Associated PressThe visitors couldn't cope with the high asking rate and had to settle for 124 for 8, ensuring Bangladesh completed a 23-run win - their second of the tournament

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  • Yohaan on February 29, 2016, 14:29 GMT

    Mr SUMATHIPALA;

    Mathews did the same mistakes in NZ series too. He kept Chameera off wasting the advantage in initial overs. If you analyze SL batting, when Chandi got out in 11th over, the score was 76 (7 runs was maintained until then) and and further 72 required from 9 ovs with 8 wikts in hand (RR was just 8). But SL couldn't acheive it, WHY? LACK OF EXPERIENCE in late order & Negative batting from No-4 Mathews! This was the story in most instances in every format for SL during past 2+ yrs. Inexperienced Hard hitting youngsters alone wouldn't win matches for SL, as proved yet again. We had experienced Sanga, MJ to do the job in the past.

    Only front order batter available for SL with such experience & situation appropriate aggressiveness is Upul Tharanga (T-20 career: 1806 r @ 27 Av - 125 SR -12 x 50) better than Dilly 26 Av- 122 SR, Shehan 20 Av -115 SR, Chandi : 28 Av - 119 SR & SR comparable with Sanga 29 Av -125 SR

    WHY not EXPERIENCED Upul Tharanga considered in any format?

  • Izmi on February 29, 2016, 12:15 GMT

    The President of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board Thilanga Sumathipala must be an angry man that like Mahela Jayawardena former Sri Lanka cricketer Chandika Hathurusinge who is the current coach of Bangladesh Cricket has plotted Sri Lanka's downfall in the Asia Cup. Bangladesh are no more minnows of the game and are serious contenders for the finals with India in the Asia Cup as well as the T20 Cricket World Cup

  •   Sampath Bandara on February 29, 2016, 6:48 GMT

    We have been playing brilliantly for the last 16 years. ... "It's still far away and difficult to predict so early, but I expect Sri Lanka to be a serious force to reckon ... Now it's time for youngsters to take over. .... have only lost a single match out of 2 this year asia cup there is no doubt that SL is the best T20 side .

  • peter on February 29, 2016, 5:47 GMT

    Days of SL glory are over ... It will be another decade before SL come back to where the were when Sanath was the feared King of batting !!

  • Kumarpal on February 29, 2016, 4:01 GMT

    Top quality batting from Sabbir Rahman, that innings would not have been out of place In a tournament final!

  •   Ebadullah Siddiq on February 29, 2016, 2:23 GMT

    Congratulations my tigers. Superb performance.

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