Dew Plays Spoilsport as Bangladesh Defies Sri Lanka's Dominance

In a thrilling ODI encounter, Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim defied the odds, overcoming a precarious situation to guide their team to a remarkable victory over Sri Lanka. Despite reducing the hosts to 92 for 4 in pursuit of 256, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was rendered ineffective by the dew factor, allowing the duo to stitch together a match-winning 165-run partnership.

Shanto’s unbeaten 122 and Mushfiqur’s 73 not out proved instrumental in Bangladesh’s chase, as they tackled the challenges posed by the dew-laden outfield with remarkable composure and skill. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, including Janith Liyanage, found it increasingly difficult to maintain their grip on the ball, ultimately failing to make further inroads after the 16th over.

Reflecting on the game, Liyanage acknowledged Sri Lanka’s early dominance, saying, “We were on top at that moment when it was 92 for 4. We thought we had a really good chance of winning the game.” However, the allrounder conceded that the dew’s impact was greater than anticipated, making it “really hard for the bowlers to grip the ball.”

Despite the setback, Liyanage commended the Bangladesh batters for their resilience, stating, “Credit to the Bangladesh team the way they batted. Shanto played extremely well and, of course, Mushfiqur bhai also played really well.”

The Sri Lankan camp admitted to being caught off guard by the dew’s intensity, with Liyanage revealing, “We never expected there to be so much dew.” This unexpected turn of events proved decisive, as the visitors struggled to maintain control over the proceedings.

While the dew played a significant role in the outcome, Liyanage acknowledged that Sri Lanka’s total of 255 was below par, especially after their openers had provided a blistering start of 71 inside 10 overs. “With the start we got, we could have got 300 runs today. We were a bit disappointed about that,” he reflected.

As the teams regroup for the upcoming matches, the dew factor will undoubtedly be a crucial consideration, with both sides seeking strategies to mitigate its potential impact. The thrilling encounter serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cricket, where even the slightest environmental factors can dramatically alter the course of a game.