In the T20 World Cup clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh held in Dallas on Saturday, June 8, Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed delivered a masterful response to dismiss Kusal Mendis. Mendis, after hitting consecutive boundaries, was bowled out by Taskin for 10 runs off eight balls.
The decisive moment occurred in the third over of Sri Lanka’s innings when Taskin bowled a back-of-a-length delivery around off stump.
Mendis, caught between pulling or defending, ended up inside-edging the ball onto his stumps, much to Taskin’s delight. Taskin Ahmed’s performance did not stop with Mendis. He also claimed the wicket of Dasun Shanaka, finishing with commendable figures of 2/25 from his four overs. Taskin’s recent form has been impressive, as evidenced by his eight wickets in four matches during his last T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Falters as Bangladesh Bowlers Dominate
On the other hand, Mendis struggled in his previous game against South Africa, scoring just 19 off 30 balls. Bangladesh’s bowling unit performed exceptionally well, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 124/9. After Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to bowl first, Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain also shone, each taking three wickets.
Despite a strong start by Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka, who scored 47 off 28 balls, the team struggled to put up a competitive total. Contributions from Dhananjaya de Silva (21 off 26), Charith Asalanka (19 off 21), and Angelo Mathews (16 off 19) were insufficient to boost the innings significantly. The Bangladesh team now looks forward to their next T20 World Cup match against South Africa in New York on June 10.
Sri Lanka Seek Redemption Against Nepal After Defeat by South Africa
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, will face Nepal in Lauderhill, Florida on June 11, hoping to recover from their six-wicket loss to the Proteas in their opening game. This match highlighted Bangladesh’s effective bowling strategy and Taskin Ahmed’s pivotal role in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
The victory not only boosts Bangladesh’s confidence but also underscores their potential threat to other teams in the tournament. Taskin’s revenge against Mendis marked a significant turning point in the match, demonstrating his skill and composure under pressure. The upcoming fixtures promise more exciting cricket as both teams aim to improve their standings in the T20 World Cup.
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