Sports Reporter :
An unbeaten 165-run fifth wicket partnership by Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim powered Bangladesh to record an emphatic six-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in their first One Day International match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday night.
Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka piled up a fighting total of 255 off 48.5 overs.
In reply, Tigers sailed home making 257 for the loss of four wickets when they had 32 balls to spare.
Bangladesh lost their early three wickets for 23 runs. Openers Litton Das (0), Soumya Sarkar (3) were dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka and second-down Towhid Hridoy (3) was dismissed by Pramod Madushan.
Then, one-down Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the damage contributing together 69 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Mahmudullah was caught at the square leg by Madhushanka off Lahiru Kumara when the Tigers’ total was 92 for the loss of four wickets. Mahmudullah hit a run-a-ball 37 with four fours and a sixer.
After Mahmudullah’s dismissal, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim salvaged their team to anchor the victory target.
Shanto remained unbeaten with 122. His 129-ball innings was laced with 13 fours and two sixes. Shanto was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding captain’s knock.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 73 runs. His 84-ball innings studded with eight fours.
