In a thrilling warm-up match ahead of the ODI World Cup, Bangladesh emerged victorious against Sri Lanka by seven wickets. The match, held in Guwahati, showcased stellar performances from Bangladesh’s top players, ultimately leading them to a comfortable win.
Sri Lanka took to the crease first but faced early adversity as opener Kusal Perera had to leave the field due to a shoulder strain after a promising start of 34 runs off 24 balls. Despite this setback, Pathum Nissanka played aggressively, contributing 68 runs, while Dhananjaya de Silva added 55 runs at No. 6.
However, Sri Lanka’s middle order struggled against the tight bowling of Mahedi Hasan, who claimed three wickets for 36 runs in his nine overs. Bangladesh’s Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz also chipped in with crucial wickets, ultimately dismissing Sri Lanka for 263 runs in the final over.
Bangladesh’s chase was anchored by impressive half-centuries from their top three batsmen. Tanzid Hasan, who has only played five ODIs so far, displayed his potential with a breezy knock of 84 runs off 88 balls, featuring ten fours and two sixes.
He formed a formidable opening partnership of 131 runs off 124 balls with Litton Das, who contributed 61 runs. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz followed suit with an unbeaten 67 runs, sealing the victory with eight overs to spare. Mehidy also played a pivotal role with the ball, delivering 10 tight overs and taking one wicket for 32 runs.
In addition to the win, Bangladesh was pleased with Tanzid Hasan’s performance as he continues to make his mark on the international stage. The team is now gearing up for their next warm-up game against England, scheduled for Monday, while Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan on Tuesday, with both matches taking place at the same venue.