BANGLADESH put up a master class performance against Sri Lanka as Mushfiqur Rahim produced a great T20 innings, an audacious 72 off 35 balls that was built upon terrific work from openers Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal.
Arriving at the crease with 115 needed in 63 deliveries, Mushfiqur began his mission in a calculated manner to ensure the required run rate never went out of control. With four overs remaining and Bangladesh needing 40, he stroked a belligerent six off Jeevan Mendis and tilted the game in Bangladesh's favour. Although Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman departed in quick succession and the team's long tail was exposed, Mushfiqur kept his cool and went on to rampage the Sri Lankan attack.
Openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das set the perfect stage for the team when they scored a quick-fire 74 for the first wicket in only 5.5 overs. The much-awaited win finally ended the Tigers' embarrassing losing streak. No language is adequate to express our heart-felt congratulations for steering us to a rare feat of success single-handedly.
The victory means the race for the final is still wide open for Bangladesh. I hope this win will work like a tonic for the Tigers and help them gain back their rhythm in the next matches. Well done Bangladesh and three cheers for Mushfiqur!
Mohammad Sohel hara
Bonosree, Dhaka
sohelhara@hotmail.com