THISARA Perera struck in controversial fashion with the last ball of the game as Sri Lanka edged out Bangladesh by two runs in their Twenty20 international in Chittagong
Responding to the tourists’ total of 168 for seven, built on 64 from Kusal Perera, Bangladesh were always there or thereabouts in a thrilling chase.But Thisara Perera decided it in his side’s favour when he had Anamul Haque (58) caught and bowled off the last delivery of the innings – a high full toss that could easily have been called a no-ball.
It was a frantic end to a chase which had looked relatively serene by T20 standards until Bangladesh lost their third wicket.
Shamsur Rahman eased his way to 22 before being caught and bowled by Ajantha Mendis, and Tamim Iqbal followed for a relatively sedate 30.
Still Bangladesh looked on course as Shakib Al Hasan launched Thisara Perera for six then struck a couple of fours to take his side past 100 with just two wickets down.
But he was bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara and thereafter it was left to Haque to do as much damage as he could with wickets falling at the other end.
Things seemed to have slipped away from him when 29 runs were needed off the last two overs, but he eked out 12 against Lasith Malinga – helped by a no-ball – then came so close in the final over, hitting three fours and a two, before falling in unusual fashion.
Kusal Perera proved to be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s innings with a brisk and effective 64 as wickets fell all around him.
He took six off the first two balls but Tillakaratne Dilshan fell a few deliveries later, bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza attempting his trademark scoop shot, as the first over set the tone for the innings.
Perera took a particular liking to Sohag Gazi, hammering four successive boundaries in an over that cost 18.
At the other end Dinesh Chandimal lofted a big six and struck two fours to put Sri Lanka on course for a huge total, but when he fell for 18 – holing out off Shakib Al Hasan – Perera could not find an ally, with Kumar Sangakkara and Seekkuge Prasanna falling quickly.
Perera nudged his way to 50 then launched a big six off Farhad Reza, but he fell soon after to a good catch from Anamul Haque on the rope.
Kulasekara hit 32 off 21 to ensure the innings did not crumble but Sri Lanka were still some way short of where they could have been.