The expectation of Bangladesh to win the series at home was delayed. At least two more days! Having lost the last two ODI series in their home ground, Bangladesh had a bird's eye view of the Sri Lanka series. But Sri Lanka is out of the question. After losing the first match, they gritted their teeth and returned to level the series. Bangladesh lost to the Lankans by 3 wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series.
Bangladesh lost the toss and had to bat first at Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Bangladesh's innings started with a scare when Liton Das made his way to the dressing room before opening the run book for the second consecutive match. However, with Soumya Sarkar's responsible innings of 68 runs, the first match centurion captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto's 40-run innings overcame the initial shock and the hosts got the basis for a big collection.
Tawheed is the goal that is fulfilled in the bat of the heart. His unbeaten innings of 96 helped Bangladesh to 286 in 50 overs. Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga got 4 wickets.
Sri Lanka started losing wickets at regular intervals as they started to reply. They were able to accumulate 60 runs on the scoreboard at the cost of three wickets in the power play of Taskin-Shariful's bowling spell.
However, opener Pathum Nisanka and Charit Asalanka, who was dropped at five, formed a big partnershi for the fourth wicket with the benefit of dew in Chattogram later in the evening. With the passage of time, this pair started playing with the bat. Bangladesh bowlers were feeling helpless in front of them. The fielders failed to collect the two half-chances that were being created. Nisanka picked up a 100-ball century just in time for the dew and the fielders not to be affected.
After the century, Nisanka was caught by Liton off Mehedi’s ball in the boundary area while going further uphill. He had to stop at 114 runs. That ended his 185-run stand with Asalanka for the fourth wicket. This is now Sri Lanka's highest fourth wicket partnership in ODIs.
Asalanka (91) could not stay at the crease for long after breaking the pair. The middle-order batsman returned as Taskin Ahmed's 100th victim in ODIs with a shaky 90 at home.
Sri Lanka could have been in danger losing two sets of batters within seven runs. But Hasaranga did not let that happen. Even though he couldn't stay at the crease in the end, his 25-run cameo ensured victory for the Lankans.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face each other in the third and last ODI of the series on March 18 at the same ground. Like the T20 series, the ODI series will also be decided in the last match of the series. Like the T20 series, the end of the ODI series is also colorful for the Lankans.