And Sri Lanka hold on! They win by 3 runs, but it's heartbreak for Bangladesh who became favourites in what was an improbable chase at times! Shanaka though nails the wide yorker. Taskin looks to swing this away but it's an inside edge into the pads for just one. Sri Lanka breathe a heavy sigh of relief
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I at Sylhet, BAN v SL, Mar 04 2024 - Match Result
That said, it will be a wrap from us. A phenomenal start to the series, and one you hope is a sign of things to come. Isam's report should be up soon. But for now, on behalf of Fidel and the rest of the team, this is Madushka signing off. Catch us for game two on Wednesday!
So Charith Asalanka is the Player of the Match for his 21-ball 44 and three catches, including the high pressure one to dismiss Jaker. But Jaker is rightfully cricinfo's MVP, because that was some hand, and one that certainly didn't deserve to be on the losing end.
Some Jaker Ali info in from Isam: "Jaker Ali developed his skills in domestic cricket for the past few years before hitting his stride this season with some important runs, mostly in the death overs, for Comilla Victorians."
Mahmudur: "Game of Cricket is the real winner in this game! Congratulations Sri Lanka! Well done Bangladesh! "
JOYDEEP GILL: "409 runs with 23 sixes within 40 overs this match was excited with raining boundaries one more thing this was nail biter match you couldn't ask for "
9.50pm Well, let's first and foremost take a moment to breathe. Cos that was some breathtaking cricket on display! Dasun Shanaka in the end holds his nerve, grabbing two wickets and giving away just 8 runs in the final over to help Sri Lanka edge a nail-biter and take a 1-0 lead in this series. But this was a chase all about Jaker Ali, and before that Mahmadullah. Sri Lanka had done exceedingly well to put on 206 batting first, courtesy hands from Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka, but with dew in full effect Sri Lanka's bowlers - particularly Matheesha Pathirana - struggled to contain Bangladesh. Angelo Mathews grabbed early wickets in the chase, and Bangladesh looked in danger of folding cheaply at times, but Mahmadullah and Jaker had other ideas striking a pair of blistering fifties to keep Bangladesh in the hunt. But just as they felt they had the upper hand, Shanaka and co. held their nerve to grab an exhilarating win.
Just some mind games there I think. Giving themselves some time to think. 5 to win, 4 for a super over.
Slower ball, looks to heave this over long-on but he can't connect. They run the leg bye, but now they need a boundary. Sri Lanka have asked for this review, but this was quite clearly striking almost a foot outside off stump.
Shoriful you beauty! Length ball swatted over extra cover! 200 is up!
Jaker is gone! Can you believe it?! This was full on off, Jaker looks to get under it but it's the bottom of the bat. Asalanka is at long-off, and he judges this perfectly. Goes low and forward to his left and holds on under pressure. His scream can be heard in a shell shocked Sylhet
Jaker looks like a man who knows he has this in his hands. 10 from 4.
Jaker is back on strike! This was full on off, driven to mid-off and they scurry
Uwaisul Karnain: "Did the slow over rate produce SL that wicket?" --- Perhaps.
Wide! This was full and wide, looking for the wide yorker but it's too wide
Taskin now, he just needs a single
Rishad goes for the glory and only finds mid-off! Wide yorker-cum-low-full-toss, Rishad reaches for it and gets a toe-end on the drive. Asalanka scrambles to his left and takes a good catch
Rishad has one job here, just get Jaker on strike. Sri Lanka penalised for a slow over rate, Shanaka to bowl with five in the circle.
Tonked over extra cover! Jaker doesn't want the single to keep the strike, he just leans back and smacks this length ball over the infield
Short and wide, swing and a miss. This was just within the lines
full and wide, carved to extra cover. Refuses the single
Fine leg is there but it doesn't matter! This is Jaker's day! Full on the pads, and he just whips this left of the man and it races beyond Akila's dive
Deep midwicket goes back now, third man in the circle
Good length and straight but Jaker gets it away anyway! Binura hairs back and saves this a foot from the rope
Put away in style! Low full toss, no one at deep midwicket and it's whipped away. And oh dear, oh dear, it's a no-ball. Free hit incoming.
full and straight, clattered but straight to mid-off
Here's Pathirana now then
Javed: "Jaker really batting slow … took 25 balls to hit his first four !!! "
short of a length cutter, looks to work it onside but can't get it away
Pathirana who went off the field for treatment is back on the field. He will very likely bowl the last over.
Faysal: "Jaker Ali faced around 75-80 balls between 16-20 overs in the recently concluded BPL and scored at a strike rate of over 170"
Partnership ended! It's all down to Jaker now. This was short, slow, into the pitch. Mahedi top edges the pull and Mathews takes it safely at short fine
Four more! Mahedi joins the party! This was short, slow outside off. But waits for it and places this past backward point. This outfield is lightning as well
full outside off, Jaker goes across the crease early but only gets a single with this cross swipe to deep midwicket
short of a length outside off, dabbed to short third for one
Four to start the over! Perfect for Bangladesh. This was short and slow but placed behind deep backward square leg
Aby Mathew: "Is jaker Ali Maxwell in disguise ? "
2W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium | |
Toss | Bangladesh, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2023/24 |
Player Of The Match | |
Series result | Sri Lanka led the 3-match series 1-0 |
Match number | T20I no. 2494 |
Hours of play (local time) | 18.00 start, First Session 18.00-19.30, Interval 19.30-19.50, Second Session 19.50-21.20 |
Match days | 4 March 2024 - night (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |
Over 20 • BAN 203/8