Thushara's hat-trick downs Bangladesh to 28-run defeat

Nuwan Thushara got a fifer along with a hat-trick as Bangladesh suffered a 28-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the last game of the three-match T20 series.

Bangladeshi top-order was completely rattled down by the Lankan young fast bowler and bowled out for 146 runs while chasing 174 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts, at one stage, lost their six wickets on just 32 runs after Thushara struck a hat-trick, faring to be defeated by a big margin.

However, Rishad Hossain came with some big hits and put Bangladesh in a respectable position. He smashed a 30-ball 53 hitting seven sixes, the highest by a Bangladeshi batter in a single T20 match.

Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan also joined with Rishad to mitigate the difference of the defeat hitting 31 and 19 runs respectively.

Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers bagging five wickets for 20 runs while Wanindu Hasaranga got two for Sri Lanka.

Opting to bowl, Bangladesh started well with their tight bowling and taking a wicket in the fourth over.

However, Kusal Mendis griped the innings on one side despite Sri Lanka losing wickets on the other side at regular intervals.

He made several partnerships while hitting a 55-ball 86, with six sixes and six fours, helping his team to end at 174/7 after 20 overs.

Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain picked up two wickets for Bangladesh while Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman got one apiece.

EM