Towhid Hridoy struck a brilliant 96 not out but it was not enough to save Bangladesh from a three-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the second ODI on Friday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Pathum Nissanka who smashed a 113 ball-114 with 13 fours and three sixes trumped Hridoy’s special to help the side level the three-match series. Bangladesh won the first game by six wickets, reports BSS.
Nissanka was complemented by Charith Asalanka’s 93 ball-91, a knock laced with six fours and four sixes. The duo shared 185 runs, a record fourth wicket partnership for Sri Lanka, breaking the previous record of 171 between legendary Arjuna Ranatunga and Roshan Mahanama.
Their partnership was key in helping the side overhaul Bangladesh’s 286-7 with 287-7 in 47.1 overs.
Opener Soumya Sarkar hit 66 ball-68 with 11 fours and one six to give Bangladesh a solid platform despite Liton Das’ consecutive second duck.
After being out in the first ball of the innings in the previous match, Liton now got three-ball duck when pacer Dilshan Madushanka had him caught by Dunith Wallelage at square leg.
But skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya counterattacked in style to put Sri Lanka bowler in sword. They shared 75 runs for the second wicket off 71 balls before Madushanka, who snapped up 2-30, struck again to get the better of Shanto who made 39 ball-40 with six fours.
Wanindu Hasanranag who claimed 4-45 then came into the party, striking twice as he got rid of Soumya and Mahmudullah for duck in three balls.
With 130-4, Bangladesh were in danger to be bowled out cheaply and the situation further worsened when Hasaranga removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 25 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 12 leave Bangladesh 189-6 in 36th over.
Towhid Hridoy meantime raised his seventh fifty off 74 balls but then bludgeoned the Lankan bowlers all corner of the park to hit the next 46 runs off just 28 balls. His belligerent approach was key in helping Bangladesh reach a respectable total.
He smashed three fours and five sixes in his knock for which he played 102 balls.
But with dew around, Bangladesh knew the score was not enough to guarantee a victory.
Pacer Shoriful Islam continued his habit to strike with new ball as opener Avishka Fernando edged a delivery to first slip for a duck in the first ball.
Taskin Ahmed bagged the crucial wicket of captain Kusal Mendis (16) and Shoriful who finished with 2-49 again struck to get the better of Sadeera Samarawickrama, leaving Sri Lanka at 43-3 in seventh over.
Nissanka and Asalanka rebuilt the innings astutely, much to the despair of Bangladesh bowlers.
After bringing up his fifty off 58 balls, Nissanka paced the innings impeccably and raised his sixth century off 100 balls, when he pulled a short delivery of pacer Tanzim Hasan to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Asalanka who was thoroughly in attacking mood, slog-swept left-arm spinner Taijul Isalm for a six over deep mid-wicket to raise his fifty off 50 balls.
But Bangladesh hit back to the game, dismissing those two set batters in consecutive overs.
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke through with the wicket of Nissanka before Taskin who finished with 2-49 reviewed one successfully to dismiss Asalanka as Sri Lanka was 52 runs away from the victory.
Wanindu Hasaranga, however, played a 16 ball-25 with one four and two sixes as Sri Lanka dented Bangladesh’s hope to seal the series with one game to spare.
The series deciding third game is on Monday.