Today is a public holiday in Sri Lanka, which is why the stands at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy were packed to capacity.
However, even in this full-house show, Bangladesh’s batting performance in the first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka was disappointing.
Before the match began, commentator Russel Arnold mentioned that this was a 170 to 175-run wicket, but Bangladesh barely managed to cross the 150-run mark with a sluggish effort.
It was yet another reminder that Bangladesh still hasn’t mastered the art of T20 batting. Powered by Parvez Hossain Emon’s 38 and a 32-run knock from Naim Sheikh, who played in an ODI-like manner, Bangladesh posted 154 runs for five wickets in 20 overs.
Had Shamim Patwari not hit two sixes toward the end, they might not even have crossed 150.
And yet, Bangladesh had a fairly good start after being sent in to bat first.
The opening pair of Emon and Tanzid put up 46 runs, with the majority coming off Emon’s bat. Emon scored 29 runs off his first 13 balls in that partnership.
However, from the other end, Tanzid’s natural stroke play was absent. His dismissal was also quite awkward.
Facing a low full toss from Nuwan Thushara, he tried a soft on-drive and ended up giving a catch to Maheesh Theekshana at short midwicket before he could even react properly.
After Tanzid’s departure, Emon stayed at the crease for nine more deliveries. He too was dismissed by Theekshana, this time with the ball in hand.
Emon played a lofted shot standing still to a ball floated outside the off stump and handed a catch to Dasun Shanaka at long-off.
The left-handed batter scored 38 runs off 22 balls with five fours and one six.
