Put into bat and under pressure to post a big total to cancel out the dew factor, the Bangladesh batsmen stuttered with wickets failing at regular intervals.
Bangladesh let themselves down with some irresponsible batting, and settled for a below-par 249 for nine in their must-win match against Sri Lanka in the cricket tri-series here today.
Put into bat and under pressure to post a big total to cancel out the dew factor, the Bangladesh batsmen stuttered with wickets failing at regular intervals, and their cause was not helped either by some irresponsible batting in front of their 10,000-odd supporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here.
None of their top-order batsmen scored big, and except for the fourth wicket stand of 78 runs from 114 balls between captain Shakib Al Hasan (47) and Raqibul Hasan (43), there was no worthwhile partnership after openers Tamim Iqbal (21) and Imrul Kayes (42) had raised 44 for the first wicket.
Shakib, who came in when his side was struggling at 88 for three, top-scored with a 75-ball knock which included just one four, and he was out while trying to hoist a short ball from well outside the off-stump.
After Shakib's departure in the 38th over at 165 for four, Bangladesh batsmen fell in a heap, with Mushfiqur Rahim (32), Naeem Islam (5), Abdur Razzak (1) and Rubel Hossain (0) out in the space of four overs, with the addition of just 32 runs.
Earlier, openers Iqbal and Imrul failed to give a strong start unlike that against India yesterday. Bangladesh needed one of them to fire upfront to put pressure on the Sri Lankans, who have been strengthened by the return of senior batsman Mahela Jayawardene, but that did not happen.
Iqbal lifted Thilan Thushara for a four and a huge six in the fourth over, but did not last long, as he misread a Suraj Randiv delivery, and was trapped in front.
The home side invited trouble, with the next two batsmen gifting wickets. Former captain Mohammad Ashraful (13) ran for an unnecessary second run, and failed to beat a nimble-footed Thilan Thushara whose sharp throw hit the stumps in the 14th over.
Four overs later, Imrul played across a Thissara Perera delivery, and he was beaten in front of the wicket to leave Bangladesh in trouble at 88 for three.
Vice-captain Mashfiqur gave the sparse crowd something to cheer with a couple of sixes in the slog overs, but it was too good to last as he was out for 32 from 22 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Kulasekara, who returned to the playing XI after missing his side's second match, Thissara Perera and Suraj Randiv took two wickets a piece.
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