Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka has created another controversy and given the fans everything to cheer about. The ongoing second T20I of the three-match series between the teams will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.
During the second innings of the ongoing game, something unusual happened which left the Sri Lankan team reeling. On the first ball of the fourth over, Binura Fernando bowled a delivery that slid back off a length ball and tipped in from outside off. Soumya Sarkar tried to cross it but failed.
There was a clear sound when the ball reached Kusal Mendis. The Sri Lankan team went up and even the referee gave it, listening to the noise. Soumya Sarkar, however, insisted on not hitting the ball and opted for DRS after speaking to his batting partner Litton Das.
When the third referee looked, replays showed there was a spike. However, the official said there was a clear gap between the bat and the ball. The umpire considered that the spike appeared after the ball had passed the bat and was not with the Sri Lankan players, who were furious.
Here is the video:
DRAMA! Clear noise > on-field referee points out > review taken > Third referee rules out no despite UltraEdge!
Bangladesh-Sri Lanka always generates controversy 😶..#BANvsSL #FanCode pic.twitter.com/8hH9i65SD6
– FanCode (@FanCode) March 6, 2024
Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood was furious with the third umpire’s decision. Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka and other players stood alongside the referees on the field as they were seen having animated chats with the referees.
Soumya Sarkar then rubbed salt into Sri Lanka’s wounds when he hit a boundary off the next ball. The left-hander played a vital hand for the team at the top and helped them get off to a valiant start with the bat in the 166-run chase.
Soumya Sarkar along with Litton Das added 68 runs for the opening partnership and made sure to put pressure on Sri Lanka from the start. While the left-hander scored 26 runs off 22 balls, Das finished with 36 innings off 24 balls.
Bangladesh wins second T20I against Sri Lanka to level series
After the brave start of Soumya Sarkar and Litton Das, Matheesha Pathirana brought Sri Lanka back into the game. He removed both openers in the space of two overs and revived the hopes of Sri Lankan fans.
But the new captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto (53*) and Towhid Hridoy (32*) played magnificently well after that and took the match away from Sri Lanka. The duo added an unbeaten partnership of 87 runs and ensured that Bangladesh chased down the target with 8 wickets in hand and two overs to spare and leveled the series at 1-1 with one match left.
Earlier, Sri Lanka amassed a total of 165 runs on the board. Kusal Mendis (36) played a vital hand at the top along with Kamindu Mendis (37). After the duo got out, Charith Asalanka (28), Angelo Mathews (32*) and Dasun Shanaka (20*) made useful contributions to take the team past 160 runs.