Bangladesh secured a glorious victory against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international match held at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. The match was part of a series of three matches, and Bangladesh displayed an exceptional performance throughout the game.
From the beginning, Bangladesh appeared to have the upper hand over Sri Lanka, and their disciplined approach in batting and bowling ensured that they maintained their lead. Despite facing a difficult situation when they lost three wickets for just 23 runs, Bangladesh did not lose their composure and went on to win the match.
They chased down Sri Lanka’s total of 255 runs in just 44.4 overs, thanks to Captain Santo’s unbeaten 122 runs and Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 73 runs. These impressive innings added to Bangladesh’s remarkable gameplay, making it an unforgettable victory for the team.
This match showcased the importance of discipline, perseverance and team effort in achieving a remarkable victory.
Sri Lanka often makes mistakes
Sri Lanka made a critical mistake today when they chose to bat first after winning the toss, knowing that the climatic conditions in Bangladesh were challenging. It was a sacrifice of their own victory to the enemy.
Despite the knowledge they had gained from the T20 series, they gave Bangladesh the chance to bowl first, ultimately resulting in an unfortunate outcome for them.
Captain Mendis failed to consider the dew factor at night, which could have significantly impacted their performance. Was it a lack of preparation or an underestimation of the Bangladesh team?
Did they succumb to the euphoria of winning the T20 series, leading to an unnecessary hyperbole? These questions need to be answered to avoid such mistakes in the future.
In recent tournaments, it has been evident that the Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi teams lack camaraderie. The players on both sides behave with arrogance, which cannot win matches.
If Sri Lanka played today with such arrogance in mind, they were punished for it. If they thought they could easily beat Bangladesh, they must understand that Bangladesh is a team ahead of them.
Sri Lanka needs to learn from today’s mistakes and focus on improving its game. It cannot afford to underestimate its opponents or make poor decisions, especially in challenging climatic conditions.
Sri Lankan batters
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. The return of regular opener Pathum Nissanka in today’s match is a source of comfort for Mendis. He scored 36 runs.
The other opening batsman, Avishka Fernando, scored 33 runs, and their partnership for the first wicket added 71 runs. Fernando, who had a tough time in the T20 series, proved himself to be an ODI-capable batter.
Captain Mendis contributed 59 runs to raise Sri Lanka’s score, and new player Janith Liyanage added a valuable 67 runs. Kusal partnered with Mendis to score a total of 69 runs.
However, after Kusal Mendis was dismissed, the Sri Lankan team’s performance declined. Janith Liyanage remained at the crease with good batting, but the other batters quickly fell.
The team could not stay at the wicket for the full 50 overs, and they scored only 35 runs in the last 9 overs. During that period, four wickets fell rapidly.
This situation is unacceptable. It is a shame that a team like Sri Lanka, with so much experience, played so carelessly.
Bangladesh batters
The Bangladeshi batters had difficulty facing the new ball in their reply innings. As usual, Sri Lanka’s opening bowler, Dilshan Madushanka, took his first wicket in the first over.
Sri Lanka quickly took three wickets, but Bangladesh managed to take control of the match. Captain Santo and Rahim worked together to gradually raise the score, carefully selecting weak balls. Bangladesh eventually won the match.
The Sri Lankan bowlers ‘ weakness was apparent when comparing the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka bowlers. The Bangladeshi bowlers pressured the Sri Lankan batters and controlled them well, while the Sri Lankan bowlers lacked professionalism.
Maheesh Theekshana and Vanidu Hasaranga, amongst the best bowlers in Sri Lanka and the world, had sloppy bowling. The Bangladeshi batters were not under pressure from them.
However, the two opening pacers, Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan, took three wickets. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s leading fast bowler, Lahiru Kumara, suffered another injury.
The Sri Lankan team’s biggest weakness is their lack of physical fitness. In many matches, their bowlers have been seen getting injured. This makes it difficult to win matches. It is expected that plans will change depending on the opposing team’s skill and game plan.
And if a player gets injured by accident, it is a regular thing. Still, if a knowing player with injury gets injured during the match and the plans have to change, it shows a weakness in management.
Sri Lanka has a bad habit of using bowlers who keep getting injured in matches before fully recovering, disrupting the team’s balance.
This issue has persisted from Angelo Mathews to Dushmantha Chamira and Lahiru Kumara. This makes it difficult for the other players to have confidence and win matches. Upul Tharanga must realise this.
Most Dominant Team
The Bangladesh cricket team performed impressively and emerged victorious in today’s match against Sri Lanka. Their commitment and dedication to winning the ODI series were evident throughout the game.
It was clear that they had learnt from their defeat in the T20 series and had developed a strong determination to win. The team played together as a unit, and the pressure was too much for the Sri Lankan team to handle
. The Bangladeshi players never gave up and continued fighting until the end. Losing was not an option for them, and they channelled their competitive spirit into taking control of the game.
Motivation and morale are essential for winning, and Bangladesh had both in abundance. Despite facing setbacks in the past, Bangladesh never lost hope and continued to strive for success.
Winning a match against Sri Lanka was no easy feat, but the Bangladesh team managed to clinch a victory. Their only goal now is to win the second match and secure their place as the series champions.
