The three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka got off to an excellent start. Bangladesh have taken a 1-0 lead in the series after defeating Sri Lanka by 33 runs in the series opener. Bangladesh will secure the series if they win the next match. Bangladesh will play with confidence in the second encounter if they can maintain the fighting attitude that they displayed in the first match. The good news is that both the senior and young players contributed significantly to this victory. This article discusses five reasons behind Bangladesh's win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI.
Five factors contributed to Bangladesh's victory over Sri Lanka
Effective partnership between Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah
Veteran cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad took charge of Bangladesh's innings after losing four wickets for 99 runs in 23 overs. They had formed a 109-run fifth-wicket partnership to cross the 200-run barrier.
Mr. dependable Mushfiqur Rahim was a far more aggressive of the two, scoring 84 runs off 87 balls. On the other hand, Mahmudullah Riyad scored 54 runs. Bangladesh's score might not have surpassed 250 if it hadn't been for this pair. So, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah's solid partnership was one of the match's turning points.
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Miraj's superb spin bowling
Bangladeshi bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraj is presently ranked fifth in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. Miraj is proving to be a highly efficient bowler with his excellent performance in the first match. Captain Tamim Iqbal introduced off-spinner Mehidy Miraz at the start of the innings with the hope of an early breakthrough.
Miraj performed an excellent job of repaying the captain's trust in him. By sending opener Gunathilaka back to the pavilion in the fifth over Miraz got Bangladesh's first wicket. He then picked up three more wickets in the midst of the innings to completely dismantle Sri Lanka's middle order. Mehidy, who took the most four wickets for Bangladesh, was essential in the team's victory in the first match.
Saifuddin's timely breakthrough
Wanindu Hasaranga shocked the Bangladesh camp with some blazing striking at one point during the match. Hasaranga was dreaming of taking Sri Lanka home by hitting sixes against Bangladeshi bowlers. Saifuddin brought relief to Bangladesh's campaign by dismissing this fearsome lower middle-order batsman at the end of the 44th over.
Sri Lanka's score at the time was 211 while chasing 256 runs. Hasaranga made 74 runs off 60 balls before being dismissed. After breaking the eighth wicket partnership, the bowlers took the remaining two wickets within 12 runs to ensure the victory of Bangladesh.
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Tamim Iqbal's captaincy
Tamim Iqbal is gaining experience as the Bangladesh team's captain. We can get a sense of the kind of captain he'll be in the future. Apart from scoring 52 runs as a batsman, Tamim changed the bowlers successfully while fielding. By introducing off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the start, he managed to get a Lankan wicket.
Bangladesh's quickest bowler Taskin Ahmed teamed up with Mehidy Miraz to bowl at the beginning of the innings. Then Tamim brought Mustafiz, Shakib, and Saifuddin into the attack. Although Taskin was a bit expensive, the rest of the bowlers did well. Tamim's strategy of using three quick bowlers at the end of the innings was effective. All in all, Tamim did well in the first match of the series as captain.
Experience
The Sri Lankan ODI side is inexperienced, and it will take some time for them to gel as a team. Therefore, Bangladesh seized the opportunity in the first encounter. Sri Lanka lost multiple wickets in the midst of the innings despite chasing a respectable total in the first match.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka was unable to put more pressure on Bangladesh despite removing four batsmen within 100 runs. Sri Lanka required a couple of decent partnerships from the top order in order to win the opening match, which they failed to deliver. On the contrary, Bangladesh counter-attacked the Lankan bowlers after losing a few early wickets and took control of the innings. The Sri Lankan team will be able to rectify mistakes as their experience grows.
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Bottom Line
Five reasons behind Bangladesh's win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI must be maintained in the second match. Because it is essential for the players to deliver consistent performances in order to win the series. Besides, Bangladesh players must try to rectify the mistakes that were made so that they do not repeat again in the next encounter. Bangladesh will win the series by defeating Sri Lanka in the second match if they can perform at their best.