Shakib Al Hasan got the job done with both the bat and ball

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Shakib Al Hasan scored 67 and took three wickets as Bangladesh demolished Sri Lanka by 163 runs in Mirpur.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a fantastic start as openers Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque amassed a 71-run partnership before Anamul was caught behind off the bowling of Thisara Perera for 35.

Tamim and Shakib kept the runs flowing with a 99-run stand, during which Tamim sailed past his half-century.

Tamim Iqbal scored his 40th ODI fifty

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

However, Tamim ended up being caught behind off the bowling of Akila Dananjaya for 84, which came off 102 balls and included seven boundaries and two sixes.

Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim continued to torment Sri Lanka with a 57-run partnership before Shakib was caught and bowled by Asela Gunaratne for a 63-ball 67, which included seven boundaries.

Rahim and Mahmudullah added another 50 runs to Bangladesh’s score before Mahmudullah was dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep for 24.

Rahim went on to make 62 off 52 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, while Sabbir Rahman smashed a 12-ball 24 as Bangladesh finished on 320/7 off their 50 overs.

Mushfiqur Rahim struck his 28th half-century in ODI cricket

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Thisara was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Pradeep snapped up two. As for Gunaratne and Dananjaya, they chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 321 to win, Sri Lanka lost opener Kusal Perera in the third over as he was clean bowled by Nasir Hossain for one run.

Upul Tharanga, who opened the batting with Kusal, managed to make 25 before he was caught by Mahmudullah at mid-off off the bowling of Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza.

Once Tharanga was gone, Sri Lanka began to lose wickets at regular intervals, largely thanks to Shakib, who not only had an impact with the ball, but also ran out stand-in captain Dinesh Chandimal for 28.

Even though Thisara provided some fireworks with his 14-ball 29, Sri Lanka fell well short of their target as they were bowled out for 157.

Shakib was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Mortaza and Rubel Hossain took two wickets apiece. As for Nasir and Mustafizur Rahman, they claimed one wicket each.

Chandimal was less than impressed with Sri Lanka’s performance, and said: “Actually, we are really disappointed with our performance. In ODI cricket, we’re going through a bad patch. Bangladesh played outstanding cricket, credit to them. It is tough to come out of this. Injuries… To keep the right XI in tough. If we win one, we can get things in place. Still we have a chance, and we are in the tournament.”

Mortaza was thrilled to have beaten Sri Lanka, and said: “If you look at recent past, this is one of the best wins for us. The way the boys played was really good and we have to keep it going. There is always something to learn if you win or loss. Tamim could have got a hundred, the batting was up to the mark though nobody got a hundred.

“Bowling side, we were struggling in South Africa. Back to home, we are up to the mark. Sabbir’s role is to finish the innings. He is good to bat at No. 6 or 7, and he feels positive there. It is suiting him. We are still finding one more batsman who can hit like Sabbir.

“Once Shakib bats at No.3, he looks like a cool and calm customer. Tamim is hungry for the runs and Bijoy [Anamul] batted well for us. This top five has to bat 40 or 45 overs and they did that today.”

Shakib was named Man of the Match, and said: “With that everyone contributed. Tamim played the way he has been playing for two or three years. Mushfiq played well and others chipped in. I thought we bowled really well – and it was a better performance from the last game.

“Everyday you need to improve and there is healthy competition in the team, and you can’t relax. Three more matches to come, and hopefully we can keep going. We need to do a lot of things right. In five days, we have to play three games, but playing at home in Mirpur is an advantage.”