Asia Cup: Sri Lanka qualified for Super 4 phase chasing their second-highest-ever T20I total
In a see-saw battle, Sri Lanka managed to scrape into the Super Fours with a sensational two-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ongoing Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka’s horic chase puts them #1 on the l 👏
More ➡️ https://t.co/V9xTA73MoY#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/phDQF6IoMH
— ICC (@ICC) September 2, 2022
In their must-win last Group B game, the Sri Lankans had broken one too many records. They held their nerves to record their second-highest successful run-chase in a T20I. Interestingly, their highest chase is also against Bangladesh, when they chased down 194 at Mirpur in 2018.
Well done guys!!! Fantastic fight back to win this game under pressure.. safe to say it was a world class performance 👏👏👊 @OfficialSLC #AsiaCup2022
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) September 1, 2022
It was also the highest successfully chased target in the UAE. The previous record was held Afghanan against UAE in Dubai in 2016. Afghans have then chased down 180 against the UAE.
Phew… what a seesawing battle … Massive win for @OfficialSLC #AsiaCupT20 Well done guys 👏👏👏
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) September 1, 2022
Interestingly, Sri Lanka also ended their six-match losing streak in Asia Cups, their first win since beating UAE in 2016.
What a game @OfficialSLC brilliant chase @KusalMendis13 @dasunshanaka1 #asitha what a finish! Keep going boys 👏👏
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) September 1, 2022
In their last six encounters, Sir Lanka have lost twice to Afghanan and Bangladesh and one time each to India and Pakan.
Are you not entertained?!#BANvsSL #AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup2022
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) September 1, 2022
In their opening match against Afghanan, Sri Lanka succumbed to an eight-wicket loss.
Bangladesh had only themselves to blame for their ill-disciplined bowling, conceding eight wide balls and four no-balls to ruin the early good work of their batters.
All the action, all the drama!Some #Epic 📸’s from tonight’s action in this #EpicEncounter of the DP World #AsiaCup.#SLvBAN #ACC #GetReadyForEpic #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/MLaUfSO3BL
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 1, 2022
“Death bowling is something we are looking to improve and that has cost us the game,” Bangladesh’s skipper Shakib Al Hasan said. “The last two overs they were eight down, needed to get 17-18 runs and they got with a lot of balls to spare.”
Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain (3-51), one of the three changes Bangladesh made from its last defeat against Afghanan, did the early damage through his sharp short-pitched deliveries, but conceded 17 runs in the penultimate over that included a boundary off a no-ball.
Afghanan has already topped Group B with two convincing wins against both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Pakan will take on Hong Kong in the last Group A game on Friday. India has already topped the group after beating both Pakan and Hong Kong.
