Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by two wickets: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 – updates

Bangladesh will consider themselves lucky to have squeaked past Sri Lanka in the end.

They looked on course to a straightforward win when they were 91 for 3 during the 12th over, but some inspired bowling from Hasaranga (2-32) and Thushara (4-18) kept Sri Lanka in the match.

Until the penultimate over, all outcomes were on the table.

Shanaka, though, ended up blowing his team’s chances with an errant full toss which Mahmudullah duly deposited into the stands.

From there, it was a matter of keeping composure to see out the chase with just an over left.

This tournament has been full of surprises, and hopefully, we will have more in store as we next turn our attention to Australia vs England in Barbados on Saturday. And then, it’s another big one: India vs Pakistan on Sunday, June 9.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of today’s match, and till the next time, this is Rohan Sharma signing off for Al Jazeera.

Victorious Bangladesh skipper Shanto provided his thoughts: “All the bowlers and fielders gave 120 percent. Last 10-15 days, we have been planning all those things.

“The run chase was not easy and we didn’t bat well,” he said.

“They bowled really well, but on a wicket like this, we should have batted easily.

“Hridoy was very courageous and the way he played that over [against Hasaranga] really helped us.”

Losing Sri Lanka captain Hasaranga had this to say at the post-match presentation: “Our batters batted really well in the first 10 overs. In the middle overs, we batted badly.

“Our bowling attack is our strength, especially when the batters put up 150/160. With our bowling attack we can win a game with that score,” he said.

“Over the last few games, our batters didn’t do their jobs.

“We bowled with four main bowlers. I think our four genuine bowlers did their job, but we had to make [up] another four overs with our allrounders [which was the difference].”

Mahmudullah drives the last ball of the 19th over straight to mid-off.

He is well short of his ground as he races to the other end, but is saved by the inaccurate throw from mid-off.

The throw causes an overthrow, which the batters run to complete the chase.

Replays show there was a sizable gap between bat and ball as it made its way to Mendis, so the original decision stands.

The delivery is also determined to be a wide, so it is 2 from 7 now.

Mahmudullah, trying to get to a final ball bouncer outside off stump, ends up not getting any bat on it.

Or has he? As soon as Mendis collected the ball behind the stumps, he jumped up in excitement about a possible caught behind.

Hasaranga decides to take his keeper’s lead and calls for a review.

This one delivery has changed the whole complexion of the match for Sri Lanka.

Shanaka, who has not bowled today, is asked to bowl the penultimate over.

Perhaps it is nerves, but he ends up dishing a juicy full toss which Mahmudullah hammers over the deep midwicket boundary for six.

It is 5 from 11, and it would take something momentous from Sri Lanka to change the outcome.

The Bangladeshi contingent in the stands have once again found their voice after suffering a near meltdown in these last seven to eight overs.

11 needed off 12 now.

Sri Lanka will be looking for two wickets while Mahmudullah will need to lead Bangladesh to the promised land.

Thushara, aiming for the base of the stumps, ends up slipping the ball down the leg side.

Replays confirm that the ball was going on to hit the stumps, so Ahmed is given his marching orders.

With that, Shakib comes out to face the hat-trick ball.

Thushara delivers another fullish length on the pads which gets Ahmed on the toes.

The umpire doesn’t signal it out onfield, but the bowler believes he has got his man.

The review is duly taken soon after.

Sri Lanka are sensing a famous victory here as Thushara bowls Hossain all ends up.

Ahmed is the new batter with the equation now 12 off 15.

Hossain is the new batter.

Pathirana completes his spell with figures of 1 for 27.

All outcomes are possible as both sides were at 111-6 at this same stage of the innings.

14 required off 18. Game on.

Theekshana takes a blinder of a catch at third man to dismiss Shakib.

Pathirana bangs in a shortish one outside off and Shakib leans back to try and glide the ball to the third man boundary. Theekshana is able to dive forward and complete the catch.

Big moment here for Sri Lanka as they try to turn this match around.

De Silva is back into the attack.

Bangladesh pick up a handy eight off the over as the equation is now 17 off 24.

Bangladesh are not making this run chase any easier on themselves, despite needing 25 off the last 30 balls.

This was the wicket Sri Lanka wanted! Das’s anchoring innings of 36 comes to an end.

Bangladesh will still back themselves, but with half their side in the shed, they will need to keep the momentum going.

The new batter is Mahmudullah, who has plenty of experience behind him as well.

Hasaranga thinks he has got Das with one floated on off and middle.

He goes up for the appeal, but the umpire is unmoved.

The skipper elects to review it.