Bangladesh’s poor batting gives Pakistan easy win in 2nd T20



Sports editor, Barta24.com
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It might not matter this sort of game is worlds removed from anything Pakistan will have thrown at them in the upcoming T20 World. The conditions will be different, the pressure higher, the tension sharper. They will be content to draw comfort from snapping back into the team who put these performances series in, series out for the best part of the last three years, and hope this represents a return to that form. For today, just as it was yesterday, an unchanged Pakistan kept Bangladesh on a leash right throughout the first innings, the below-par 136 the visitors cobbled together never once looking like it might be enough.

And while Ahsan Ali did fell early - he has time to add consistency and match-awareness to his game - Pakistan knew exactly what to do next. Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez combined for an unbroken 131-run partnership that took them through to the finish with 20 balls to spare. Hafeez registered a half-century that should do his chances of attaining an extended run in the T20I side no harm, while Babar Azam bounced back from a duck in the first game to finish unbeaten on 66.

Batting first on a greener wicket as compared to Friday's, Tamim Iqbal’s lone hand of resistance was the only thing holding Bangladesh's innings together. Shaheen Afridi ensured there would be no repeat of a stand between the openers, snaring Mohammad Naim for a first-ball duck. Mahedi Hasan, coming into the side off the back of a stellar BPL, nicked off to Mohammad Hasnain soon after, while Shadab Khan got a slightly fortuitous lbw to remove Liton Das that withstood a review from the batsman.

Tamim, meanwhile, was batting on a slightly different surface, the kind the groundstaff hoped they had produced. Without ever really upping the scoring rate, he never once appeared threatened by Pakistan's bowling attack in the manner his team-mates were. Even the acceleration at the end was instigated by the opener when he brought up his fifty by tonking Shadab to deep cover before crunching two more fours in the over as Bangladesh made a late surge. He was tiring as a direct hit sent him back in the 18th over before Haris Rauf, who put in another audition as perhaps Pakistan's most consistently quick limited-overs bowler, removed captain Mahmudullah in the final over.

Bangladesh might have hoped to make it scrappy once more when a struggling Ahsan failed to get off the mark off his first six balls. The lack of experience showed as he lashed out on the seventh, only succeeding in skying it to mid-off. With just six runs scored off ten balls at that point, it appeared Pakistan would be made to work hard for their win once more.

However, it didn't work out that way. Most importantly, because Babar was still around to anchor the chase, and even as Hafeez took his time settling in, Babar kept the scoreboard ticking over regularly from the other end, removing any pressure the 39-year-old might have felt. When Hafeez did come into his own, Babar was content to pass the strike over to him. In the end, it was the veteran who brought up his half-century first, and finished as the top-scorer with an unbeaten 67.

Amid the flair of the chase and the ordinariness of Bangladesh's performance, it may be easy to lose sight of what set up the win in the first place. Pakistan chose to stick with the bowling attack that had brought dividends in the first game, and the wicket off Shaheen's second ball suggested they were up for the fight once more. The biggest positive will be Hasnain's vastly improved performance - his lack of control on Friday was one of the few blots on an otherwise spotless bowling effort - will please Waqar Younis, the bowling coach, plenty. He ended up being the pick of the lot, accounting for Mahedi and Afif Hossain, to finish with figures of 4-0-20-2.

Tomorrow on Sunday the 3rd and last T20I will be held at the same venue.

   

Naogaon’s Dolly joined ICC umpiring



District Correspondent, Barta24.com, Noagaon
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Dolly Rani Sarkar, a girl from Naogaon, has been included as the first female umpire of Bangladesh in the World Cricket Controlling Organization (ICC) ICC umpiring.

Behind reaching this stage of success is an unknown story of a struggling life. Dolly Rani was born in a poor family in Barendra Bhoomi town of Naogaon. She used to play neighborhood cricket with boys since childhood. That's where she started playing cricket. After that she got admission in BKSP. She also got a call to the national team's 20-man camp, but had to stop there and got a job in BKSP, so her cricket career did not progress further. That Dolly Rani Sarkar is now holding the umpiring helm and showing Bangladesh a dream.

Dolly Rani told Barta24.com at Naogaon Stadium, I used to play sports since childhood. I used to play handball, volleyball and athletics in all the sports events in the school and I used to play with all the older brothers of the neighborhood. The beginning is by the hands of the older brothers of my neighborhood. The beginning was very difficult for me unless the Naogaon District Sports Association and the neighborhood elder brothers, younger brothers and neighboring uncles took me to play in the cricket tournaments held in the neighborhood and from there I developed. If they didn't help, I wouldn't have come this far. I also got a call to the national team's 20-man camp, but had to stop there. Later, the job was done in BKSP, the cricket career did not progress further.

She also said, "I am so happy to join the ICC umpiring as the first woman umpire of Bangladesh that I don't know the language to express." I am very happy and glad because it was not expected that I will join ICC umpiring so soon. The cricket board has been working with us for two years. In the last two years, the cricket board has tried to make us suitable by giving matches at different places. We did that. I have been included in ICC umpiring today.

Dolly Rani said, I was a student of BKSP. I have been in umpiring practice since 2009. We started the journey with the girls' first division cricket tournament. Besides, I was the umpire for the boys' matches in BKSP, especially when Soumya, Vijaya were there. Besides, many teams from outside the country used to come to play in BKSP like I used to umpire Sri Lanka - Pakistan matches.

She also said, I was born in Naogaon, grew up in Naogaon, and started playing in Naogaon. Everything is Naogaon-centric. My primary school life was Chak Enayet Govt Primary School, Secondary Naogaon Pyarimohan (PM) Girls High School and for sports I passed SSC from Naogaon Govt Girls High School, HSC from Naogaon Govt College, Completed Graduation from BKSP, Completed Masters from Devendra College,  Manikganj, completed Bped from National University and completed Mp ED from Uttara University. 

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Dhananjaya-Mendis hit century, target of Bangladesh is 511



Sports Desk, Barta24.com
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Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis have become a nightmare for Bangladesh in the ongoing Test series. After a pair of 202 runs in the first innings, a pair of 173 runs in the second innings. Two batsmen scored centuries in both innings. The second innings of the Lankans stopped at 418 runs. And in front of Bangladesh, the target is 511 runs in the Sylhet Test.

The record of winning matches at the top of the target is not far from Bangladesh. West Indies won the highest target of 418 runs in the long history of Test cricket. That victory against Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003 is the record for the highest run chase to date.

Earlier, however, Sri Lanka, who got a lead of 92 runs in the first innings, signaled a quick stop in the second innings. They finished the second day with five wickets for 119 runs. So it was assumed that if the Lankans were crushed on the third day, Bangladesh would be able to keep the target within reach. At the beginning of the third day, that impression was also similar.

But after that everything seems to be random. Mendis came down to accompany Dhananjaya. Then these two took the lead. They reminded me of the first innings. They repeated their first innings once more. The match somehow went wrong from the hands of Bangladesh. After that the situation became such that Bangladesh can at least breathe a sigh of relief if this pair is broken.

Finally the pair broke on 173 runs. Mehedi Miraj sent Dhananjaya back for 108 runs. However, after that, Mendis formed a pair again with Prabath Jayasuriya. They accumulated another 67 runs. It was thought that the Lankans might declare an innings if this pair breaks. However, in another round, Mendis formed a pair with the last batsman of Lankans, Kasun Rajitha. Another 52 runs came from the last wicket pair. At one time it seemed that Mendis could not be stopped until the end. However Srilankans innings ended at 418 runs in the second knock. So Bangladesh will have to score a mammoth 511 in two remaining days. 

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Bangladesh won series comfortably against Sri Lanka



Sports Desk, Barta24.com
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Rishad Hossain, the name must be remembered. He had a storm with the bat in the last match of the T20 series as well, but the result did not go in his favor. In the last match of the ODI series, Rishad appeared with the bat again after getting a chance in the team. Bangladesh won the series by 2-1 by losing 4 wickets of the Lankans in the last ODI of the series with his bat.

In the series deciding match at the Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, Sri Lanka had a toss of luck. The Lankans, who won the toss and batted first, were uncomfortable from the start. Within 15 runs, Taskin Ahmed guided both the visitors' openers to the sack.

Charit Asalanka and Kushal Mendis tried to handle the initial shock. However, Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain ended their innings before it became scary. Asalanka with 37 runs and Mendis with catches behind the wicket for 29 runs increased the danger of the team.

Zenith Lienage tried to pull the Lankans out of that danger. He also played an unbeaten innings of 101 runs in 102 balls. However, despite the subsequent batsmen failing to give him minimal support, Lienage played a role in bringing the team to his maiden century of ODI career.

Taskin took the maximum 3 wickets for Bangladesh. Two wickets each went to Mustafiz and Mehdi Hasan Miraj.

Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar due to injury while fielding. Tanjid Hasan Tamim played a great innings as his concussion replacement. However, Lahiru Kumara swept over the other batters around him. Opener Enamul Haque Vijay, captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hriday and Mahmudullah became the victims of this Lankan pacer.

Mahmudullah scored 0 and 1 respectively in the next two matches despite playing an effective match-turning innings of 37 runs in the first ODI.

Tanjid picked up a 51-ball fifty on a day of failure by experienced batsmen. He was stopped by Wanindu Hasaranga after playing an innings of 84 runs with 9 fours and four massive sixes. Asalanka was caught on the boundary while trying to hit a big shot and burned in the regret of missing the century. Losing him, the danger of the team has increased!

However, in the sixth wicket, two experienced batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehdi Hasan Miraj scored 48 runs for Bangladesh to dream of winning again. 25 runs came off Hasaranga's bat before he was caught on the boundary.

Rishad Hossain came to the scene after the return of Miraj. Cricket fans saw his rampage with the bat in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. Today, after getting the opportunity, his bat was on fire again. He won the match and series by playing an unbeaten innings of 48 runs from 18 balls.

After pushing back the nightmare of defeat in two consecutive ODI series at home, Bangladesh has won the ODI series again. The pain of the T20 series loss will also be mitigated to some extent by this win. After two series of white ball, now two teams will fight in white clothes. The first Test of the two-match series will begin in Sylhet on March 22.

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Sri Lanka leveled series



Sports Desk, Barta24.com,Dhaka
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The expectation of Bangladesh to win the series at home was delayed. At least two more days! Having lost the last two ODI series in their home ground, Bangladesh had a bird's eye view of the Sri Lanka series. But Sri Lanka is out of the question. After losing the first match, they gritted their teeth and returned to level the series. Bangladesh lost to the Lankans by 3 wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series.

Bangladesh lost the toss and had to bat first at Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Bangladesh's innings started with a scare when Liton Das made his way to the dressing room before opening the run book for the second consecutive match. However, with Soumya Sarkar's responsible innings of 68 runs, the first match centurion captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto's 40-run innings overcame the initial shock and the hosts got the basis for a big collection.

Tawheed is the goal that is fulfilled in the bat of the heart. His unbeaten innings of 96 helped Bangladesh to 286 in 50 overs. Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga got 4 wickets.

Sri Lanka started losing wickets at regular intervals as they started to reply. They were able to accumulate 60 runs on the scoreboard at the cost of three wickets in the power play of Taskin-Shariful's bowling spell.

However, opener Pathum Nisanka and Charit Asalanka, who was dropped at five, formed a big partnershi for the fourth wicket with the benefit of dew in Chattogram later in the evening. With the passage of time, this pair started playing with the bat. Bangladesh bowlers were feeling helpless in front of them. The fielders failed to collect the two half-chances that were being created. Nisanka picked up a 100-ball century just in time for the dew and the fielders not to be affected.

After the century, Nisanka was caught by Liton off Mehedi’s ball in the boundary area while going further uphill. He had to stop at 114 runs. That ended his 185-run stand with Asalanka for the fourth wicket. This is now Sri Lanka's highest fourth wicket partnership in ODIs.

Asalanka (91) could not stay at the crease for long after breaking the pair. The middle-order batsman returned as Taskin Ahmed's 100th victim in ODIs with a shaky 90 at home.

Sri Lanka could have been in danger losing two sets of batters within seven runs. But Hasaranga did not let that happen. Even though he couldn't stay at the crease in the end, his 25-run cameo ensured victory for the Lankans.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face each other in the third and last ODI of the series on March 18 at the same ground. Like the T20 series, the ODI series will also be decided in the last match of the series. Like the T20 series, the end of the ODI series is also colorful for the Lankans. 

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