Young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain claimed 3/22 before veteran Mahmudullah Riyad kept his composure in a tricky chase as Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets for a winning start to their T20 World Cup campaign.
On a good surface, Rishad’s googlies and leg-breaks broke the back of the Lankans, his three wickets in seven deliveries restricting them to 124/9. From 70/2 in 8.4 overs, Sri Lanka lost seven for 54.
The 21-year old, who bagged the Player of the Match award on his World Cup debut, was fearless in his approach.
“When I go out to bowl I don’t watch anything like right-handed or left-handed. I know I have to do what the team wants from me. I have no problem with right-handed or left-handed batters.
“I don’t bowl out of fear. I have always tried to get wickets whenever I come to bowl. If I get a wicket, it will change the course of the game,” Rishad said.
“Everything is fine, feeling good actually. I tried to understand what could happen on the wicket after delivering two or four balls and the rest is God’s will.”
Mustafizur Rahman (3/17) also bowled his customary slow off-cutters which Sri Lankans found hard to negotiate.
In reply, Towhid Hridoy (40 off 20 balls) smoked four sixes and enjoyed a 63-run fourth wicket stand with Litton Das (36 off 38 balls).
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 124/9 in 20 ovs (Pathum Nissanka 47; Mustafizur Rahman 3/17, Rishad Hossain 3/22). Bangladesh 125/8 in 19 ovs (Towhid Hridoy 40, Litton Das 36; Nuwan Thushara 4/18). Bangladesh won by 2 wickets.
