Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka clash of the Asia Cup 2022 caught a lot of attention both on and off the field, and it was started by the Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka ahead of the group B encounter, who suggested that Bangladesh's bowling would be easier to tackle for his batters compared to Afghanistan.
Later, Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud hit back at Shanaka by saying that Sri Lanka doesn’t have any class bowlers after the latter's remarks on Shakib Al Hasan’s team. And then during the match, there were so many entertaining moments, from Sri Lankan players doing the 'Nagin Dance' to a funny exchange between on-air commentators Athar Ali Khan and Wasim Akram on Thursday (September 1).
Actually, when Mushfiqur Rahim walked out to bat at the fall of Mehidy Hasan's wicket, the broadcaster displayed the Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter’s T20I stats on the screen, over which Wasim Akram and Athar Ali Khan had different views while commentating during the match.
Athar Ali Khan said on air: “It's the experience of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib-Al-Hasan that might just work in favor of Bangladesh. Have a look at those stats. More than 100 matches, closing in on 1500 runs and a strike rate of 115.”
However, Akram did not agree with Khan, as he questioned Rahim's stats on air: “Not the best strike rate I must say. He's an experienced campaigner. He really is, but in this format, if you see the strike rate of the top players of the world, it has to be in my opinion, more than 130. Ideally, in this format.”
Although, Mushfiqur was dismissed for 4, he completed 1500 runs in T20I cricket for Bangladesh on Thursday.
Bangladesh posted 183/7 in 20 overs thanks to Afif Hossain's (39), Mahmudullah's (27), and Mosaddek Hossain's (38). Sri Lanka eventually chased down the target in the final over thanks to brilliant knocks by Kusal Mendis (60) and Dasun Shanaka (45).
With this win, Sri Lanka made it to the top four of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022, while Bangladesh was knocked out of the tournament.
