In a display of unyielding determination, Bangladesh's skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto lauded his squad's spirited performance that clinched a narrow two-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka in the curtain-raiser of the T20 World Cup at Grand Prairie in Dallas.
"The chaps were absolutely on point, giving it their all—well beyond the call of duty. The past fortnight has been a hive of strategic activity, and it's paid dividends with the fielders pulling their weight. Frankly, with the pitch playing as it did, one would've fancied a more comfortable win," remarked the perpetually cheerful Tigers' captain at the post-match ceremony.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, with a splendid 3 for 22, and Taskin Ahmed's vital brace of wickets, kept Sri Lanka to a modest 124 for 9. Subsequently, Towhid Hridoy's blistering 40 off a mere 20 deliveries, peppered with four towering sixes, propelled Bangladesh to victory with an over in hand.
"Hridoy showed true grit; his onslaught in that over was pivotal for us," Shanto asserted.
The Tigers' pursuit commenced with a jolt, losing two quick wickets. At 28 for 3 in the sixth over, the match seemed to hang in the balance. It was then that Towhid Hridoy and Liton Das took charge, amassing a critical 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
"Liton's innings was a turning point. He's had a rough patch, but today he's proven his mettle," the Bangladesh captain added.
Nuwan Thushara's spellbinding 4 for 18 ensured the match teetered on a knife-edge. With the crowd on tenterhooks and Bangladesh needing 11 from the final two overs, the tension was palpable. But Mahmudullah's majestic six off a full toss turned the tide, easing the nerves of the Bangladesh contingent.
Mahmudullah's brisk 16 off 13 balls, coupled with Tanzim Hasan Sakib's calm (1* off 4), secured Bangladesh's maiden victory in the tournament by two wickets. Sri Lanka, now languishing at the base of Group D after two defeats, eyes a resurgence against Nepal come June 11.
Reflecting on the match, Sri Lanka's captain Wanindu Hasaranga conceded: "Our top order set a solid foundation, but we lost our way in the middle overs. Our bowling is our ace in the hole, especially when the batsmen set a target north of 150. Unfortunately, in the last couple of games, they've fallen short."
