Rahim’s century helps B’desh crush Sri Lanka
DUBAI: Mushfiqur Rahim’s superb hundred complemented by a collective effort from the bowlers saw Bangladesh thrash Sri Lanka by 137 runs despite Lasith Malinga’s brilliant international comeback in the Asia Cup opener here on Saturday.
Mushfiqur scored a careerbest 144 off 150 balls with 11 boundaries and four sixes for his sixth ODI hundred as Bangladesh scored 261 in 49.3 overs after opting to bat.
Save the 131-run stand with Mohammed Mithun (63) for the third wicket, the former skipper didn’t get any assistance from other Bangladesh batsmen as the wily Malinga showed that he is still a force to reckon with.
Malinga, whose last ODI was against India in a home series in September 2017, took 4/23 on his return. Chasing 262 for a win, Sri Lanka suffered a batting collapse with none of their batsmen showing intent to stay at the crease as they were all out for 124 in 35.2 overs. This was Sri Lanka’s lowest ODI total versus Bangladesh.
Earlier, Mushfiqur scored the bulk of the Bangladesh runs as he and Mithun took their side out of the woods after being reduced to one run for two wickets and opener Tamim Iqbal returning to the pavillion after an injury only to come back at the fag end of the innings.
Tamim’s heroic act will be remembered as he came out to bat despite having retired hurt with a fractured wrist. He allowed Mushfiqur to have one final blast during the slog overs.
After Malinga and off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva (2/38) had reduced Bangladesh to 203/8, Mushfiqur shielded no 11 Mustafizur Rahman (10) during the 26-run stand. Once Mustafizur was out, Tamim removed his hand-cast and came out. The Tamim-mushfiqur pair added an invaluable 32 runs in 2.4 overs.