After an unbelievable performance in the Galle Test, Bangladesh completely lost their way in Colombo during the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. Following an innings defeat in the Colombo Test, the Tigers suffered a dramatic batting collapse in the first ODI of the three-match series at the same venue on Wednesday.
After bowling out Sri Lanka for 244 in 49.2 overs, Bangladesh made a flying start to the chase. With 100 runs on the board for just one wicket, victory seemed well within reach.
But then, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and off-spinner Kamindu Mendis spun a web around the Bangladeshi batters. In a shocking turn of events, Bangladesh lost 7 wickets for just 5 runs, setting an embarrassing record.
No team in ODI history had ever lost their 2nd to 8th wickets for so few runs — the previous record was 8 runs.
Reacting to the Tigers’ batting disaster in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul said,
“At one stage, it looked like we would chase the target quite smoothly. But when Shanto got run out, I felt that his dismissal after settling in was a big blow for the team. On this pitch, it’s difficult for new batters to get set and chase runs. However, I think the mindset our batters needed to have while batting on this pitch is something we need to work on.”
Despite the inevitable defeat, Bangladesh managed to score 167 in 35.5 overs thanks to some responsible batting from Zakir Ali alongside the tail-enders towards the end.
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 63 runs off 61 balls, including 8 fours and a six. Zakir Ali, the last batter to be dismissed, scored 51 off 64 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes.
