The Group B Asia Cup 2022 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had much going for it given the buildup it had thanks to the jibes the officials of the teams had taken at one another.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka had called Bangladesh the easier opposition when compared to Afghanistan on basis of bowling quality.
"Afghanistan has a world-class bowling attack. We know Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is a good bowler. Shakib is a world-class bowler. But apart from them, there is no world-class bowler on the side. So if we compare it with Afghanistan, Bangladesh is an easier opponent," Shanaka said.
Khaled Mahmud, Bangladesh's team director then said that while Bangladesh had atleast two world-class bowlers in Shakib and Mustafizur, Sri Lanka didn’t have any bowlers to speak of, especially pacers.
"It's up to Dasun, why he said that or why he thinks we are (easier opponents). Maybe Afghanistan has a better T20 squad, that's why he said that. He said a lot of other things as well. He said we have only 2 (world-class) bowlers or something. I don't see any in Sri Lanka, at least Bangladesh have two. That's very good. We have at least Mustafizur and Shakib, I don't think they have world-class bowlers like them," Mahmud said in a pre-match press conference.
The match proved to be one of the most exciting ones as Bangladesh put up 183/7 batting first after losing the toss. Afif Hossain made 39, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz made 38 opening the innings. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne picked two wickets each.
In response, Sri Lanka took the game deep with Kusal Mendis making 60, Dasun Shanaka making 45 and Chamika Karunaratne and Asitha Fernando playing crucial cameos as Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets and 4 balls remaining.
After the match, former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena tweeted praising the team and took a jibe at Khaled Mahmud’s world-class players comment.
He tweeted: “Well done guys!!! Fantastic fight back to win this game under pressure.. safe to say it was a world class performance.”
Apart from Jayawardena, Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana also had a remark of his own when he tweeted: “No need to have world class players, when you have 11 brothers”
Sri Lanka will next play Afghanistan in the Super 4s stage on September 3 in Sharjah.
