Bangladesh post 240/8 against Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI at Mirpur

  Feb 22, 2014   Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling performance in the middle overs restricted Bangladesh to 240 for eight in 50 overs in the Third One-Day International (ODI) at Dhaka.   With the visitors winning the toss and electing to field, the Islanders made a number of changes from the team that won the first two ODIs. Naeem Islam replaced Shakib Al Hasan, who was banned for an offensive gesture in front of the cameras in the previous encounter between the teams while Sri Lankans rested their older guard to make a number of changes in their line-up.   Pacer Dhammika Prasad drew first blood for the Island nation, removing the dangerous Anamul Haque early in the innings, suffocating the batsman for room to induce a nick to the keeper.   Mominul Haque came to the crease and took the attack to the opposition, playing some lovely shots to take the game right back to the 1996 World Cup winners. Shamsur Rahman gave him ample company and a both batsmen looked set for a big score. Prasad, once again, forced the batsman to make a mistake. Rahman’s labored stay at the crease ending with a mistimed pull shot which was pouched with total disdain by Angelo Perera. Mominul, meanwhile was unperturbed and continued playing some lovely looking shots and soon brought up his half-century.   Some great bit of fielding in the deep by Kituruwan Vithanage brought an end to Mominul, who was looking set to score a three-figure score. Mominul made a run-a-ball 60 before being run out.   Prasad was once again the man doing the damage. Captain Mushfiqur has been the bedrock of Bangladesh’s middle order and after making a solid start, he threw his wicket away after cutting straight to Sachitra Senanayake at point.   Naeem Islam and Nasir Hossain moved steadily after the loss of the fourth wicket; not playing any rash shots and ticking the scoreboard along but a rather silly shot of Senanayake by Naeem Islam ended his stay for 32.   Bangladesh then lost their way; Mahmudullah didn’t last long and well set Hossian smashed a full-toss by Suranga Lakmal straight to Ashan Priyanjan.   Sohag Gazi though, went hell for leather with some cracking shots towards the end of the innings before perishing off the bowling of Thisara Perera for 23 in the penultimate over. Bangladesh looked set for a score in excess of 250 at one stage and the Sri Lankan bowlers have to be credited for a turnaround around the 45th over, pacers Suranga Lamal and Prasad in particular. The Sri Lankans have already taken the series and would look for their young guns to fire with the bat to take them to a whitewash.   Brief scores:   Bangladesh 240 for 8 in 50 overs (Mominul Haque 60, Naeem Islam 32,Nasir Hossian 38; Dhammika Prasad 3 for 49, Suranga Lakmal 2 for 24) vs Sri Lanka   Full Scorecard