Can Bangladesh Register Third Victory Against SL!!

Bangladesh needs this victory more than ever, when they play against Sri Lanka. They have the best chance to enter the final of any ODI tournament in their 30-odd years history of Cricket. They have managed to defeat full-strength SL team that included Asian tiger Jayasuriya, twice at home. With SL already being down and out, can Bangladeshi tiger prosper to touch new heights in ODI!!

2012 Asia Cup Schedule and Results

Bangladesh has already registered their historical third victory over World Champion India. Now can they repeat the same feat against World Cup runners up!!

Bangladesh has registered two ODI wins against Sri Lanka. Both were at home. For first victory they have to wait till 2006 when in bilateral series they won the second ODI of the 3-match series, at Bogra. Other match they won at Dhaka in the triangular series in 2009, at Mirpur. Bangladesh chased in both the matches to win.

First Match: Ban def SL by 4 wickets

Choosing to field, Bangladesh sent SL packing at 212. All the bowlers contributed. Mortaza, their hero against India, grabbed only 1 wicket but his spell of 31/1 with 2 maidens was crucial. Rasel, Rafique and Kapali grabbed 2 wickets each, while Nazmul and Aftab Ahmed grabbed a piece each.

With 51 from Ashraful, 40 from Javed Omar, 33 by captain Habibul Bashar, and undefeated 32 by Aftab Ahmed, Bangladesh romped home in 47 overs to register first victory over SL.

Aftab Ahmed was declared Player of the Match for his allround performance.

Second Match: Ban def SL by 5 wickets

Winning the toss Bangladesh elected to field. In the rain-curtailed 31-over match, SL were bowled out for 147. Rubel Hossain with 33/4 wickets and Mortaza with 25/3 destroyed the Sri Lankans. Naeem Islam and Mahbubul Alam got a piece each. Shakib and Mahmudullah went wicketless.

Off to a shaky start at 3/11 losing Tamim, Junaid and Mushfiqur, Shakib’s undefeated 69-ball 92 took them home. He was declared player of the match for taking his side home almost single-handedly in 23.5 overs.

Bangladesh Players have performed their best in this tournament, while Sri Lankan players appear doomed. To grab second spot in Points table, Bangladesh must win and create history.