Bangladesh endured a familiar batting collapse as they slumped to a 77-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the first ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, despite being well-placed at 100 for 1 in pursuit of a modest target of 245.
With a solid platform laid courtesy of a composed fifty from opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, hopes were high for a successful chase under new captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz. However, what followed was a dramatic and inexplicable batting implosion that saw Bangladesh lose seven wickets for just five runs, crashing from 100 for 1 to 105 for 8 in a span of a few overs.
The Tigers were eventually bowled out for 167 in 32.1 overs, marking a bitter start to Miraz’s full-time ODI captaincy. His reign began with a heavy loss, with none of the experienced middle-order names able to offer resistance.
After Tanzid’s impressive 62 and a steady 25 from Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh looked in control. But the tone of the collapse was set when Shanto was run out in the 17th over, attempting a risky second run. His dismissal opened the floodgates.
Litton Das, who walked in at No. 4, lasted just four deliveries before falling lbw to Wanindu Hasaranga for a duck. In the same over, Tanzid holed out to mid-off for 62, bringing an end to his promising innings.
Things went from bad to worse as Towhid Hridoy was bowled by Kamindu Mendis for just one. The very next over saw Hasaranga trap Miraz in front with a googly, an unsuccessful review sealing his fate.
Kamindu then removed tailenders Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed in quick succession. From a position of strength, Bangladesh’s chase had unravelled into chaos.
Only wicketkeeper-batter Zakir Ali Anik showed some fight at the end. Coming in at No. 7, he battled through the carnage and notched up a well-compiled 61 off 64 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes, before falling as the last man to Hasaranga.
Hasaranga was the standout bowler, returning figures of 4 for 10 in 7.5 overs, including two maidens. Kamindu Mendis was equally effective, taking 3 for 19 in his five overs.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had posted 244 runs, thanks largely to a brilliant century by captain Charith Asalanka. Bangladesh’s pacers, especially Taskin and Tanzim, bowled with venom to keep the hosts in check, but Asalanka held firm to anchor the innings.
Despite the bowlers’ efforts, Bangladesh’s brittle middle order and failure to negotiate spin once again proved their undoing. The inability of established batters like Litton, Shanto, Hridoy and Miraz to take responsibility has only deepened the Tigers’ woes in ODI cricket.
For Bangladesh, the post-Tamim-Mushfiq era was meant to usher in a new chapter, but this heavy defeat has raised more questions than answers, especially with regard to temperament and accountability under pressure.