In a game where momentum swung early and decisively, Shamim Hossain Patwary emerged as the spark Bangladesh desperately needed. His brilliant direct hit to run out Sri Lanka’s key man Kusal Mendis in the second over set the tone for a dominant all-round performance that saw Bangladesh claim a commanding 83-run win in the second T20I at Dambulla on Sunday.
Mendis, the match-winner in the opening game of the series, was looking dangerous again after stroking a boundary in the first over. But Shamim, lurking at point, pounced at the first opportunity. His bullet throw caught Mendis short at the non-striker’s end, and from there, the Tigers never looked back.
Bangladesh’s bowlers fed off that energy instantly. Left-armer Shoriful Islam struck early with a fiery opening spell, while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain wove his magic in the middle overs. Mohammad Saifuddin then added the finishing touches with a clinical spell, as Sri Lanka crumbled to 94 all out while chasing 178.
The hosts’ innings ended with 28 balls to spare, and it was not just a defeat—it was their lowest total in T20Is at home and their lowest against Bangladesh in the format. For the visitors, this marked their second-biggest win in T20I cricket by runs, behind only their 84-run victory over Papua New Guinea in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Earlier, Shamim had already made his presence felt with the bat. His 27-ball 48, laced with five fours and two sixes, was instrumental in Bangladesh reaching 177-4. He shared a brisk 77-run stand with captain Litton Das, whose return to form could not have come at a better time.
Litton’s 76 off 50 deliveries—his first T20I half-century in 13 innings and his 12th overall—offered some relief for a player under increasing scrutiny. With five sixes and a four, his innings provided the stability Bangladesh needed after a string of poor performances both personally and collectively under his leadership.
Before this match, Litton’s captaincy tenure had seen a T20 series loss to UAE and a whitewash in Pakistan. The series had also begun with another loss in Pallekele. But this emphatic win not only lifted the team’s morale but also helped avert a series defeat for now, with the decider still to come.
Sri Lanka had come out with the same aggressive approach that paid off in the first match. Mendis started brightly with a four, and Pathum Nissanka hinted at another onslaught with a six off Saifuddin. But Shamim’s direct hit quelled that threat before it could erupt.
From that moment on, Sri Lanka never recovered. Bangladesh’s energy in the field remained high, and their bowlers capitalised ruthlessly on the momentum.
The series is now level at 1-1, with everything to play for in the third and final T20I.