AI Simulation SL vs BAN | Hasaranga stars in series decider at pallekele

Today at 9:34 PM

As per Artificial Intelligence, Sri Lanka will emerge victorious in the thrilling decider that will take place at the Pallekele International Stadium. Wanindu Hasaranga was the star of the game with his all-around performance, with a crucial cameo with the bat and a match-winning spell.

‌Pitch & Weather

The weather at the Pallekele International Stadium was slightly cloudy, and the wicket was a touch dry with a good covering of some grass at the beginning of the game. However, the wicket slowed down as the game progressed, which made it tough for the batters to time their shots at the crease.

Toss and Conditions

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first

Lineups

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Jaker Ali (wk), Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud.

Match Report

Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz straight away put the hosts into bat after winning the toss. This was an important toss to win in a game that was set to decide the winner with the series drawn 1-1. The Sri Lankan openers Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka started proceedings with a steady partnership, putting on 40 runs for the first wicket.

However, skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman's spells put the hosts in a spot of bother. Nissanka continued to anchor the innings with some support from Kamindu Mendis (38 of 45) and skipper Charith Asalanka (44 off 48) but was eventually dismissed by Tanvir Islam in the end on a score of 61 off 72 deliveries. Despite the frugal spells by the Bangladesh bowlers, cameos from lower-order batters Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, and Wanindu Hasaranga made sure they reached a defendable total of 278-8 in the end.

The Bangladesh batters kept the game alive in the second innings with Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan also putting on a solid opening partnership. Despite Emon getting castled by an inswinging yorker by Chameera for 13, Bangladesh former skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto kept the game alive with a well-paced half-century, scoring 71 off 75 deliveries, and was supported by Towhid Hridoy (36 off 33) in the middle

Unfortunately, things started to change with a phenomenal match-winning spell from Wanindu Hasaranga, who took wickets at regular intervals to bring the home team back into the game. Hasaranaga finished his 10-over spell with three wickets and 42 runs, and Shanto was eventually dismissed after trying to slog Theekshana over mid-wicket. In the end, Chameera, with his variations and pace, made sure the job was done as Bangladesh were in the end stranded on 259-9 in their 50 overs and won the game by 19 runs to claim the series.

Player of the Match

Wanindu Hasaranga was the well-deserved player of the match who played a cameo of 24 off just 17 deliveries and bowled a game-changing spell to spoil the hopes for the Tigers, who were looking good at one stage in the match.