Bangladesh sets 249-run target for Sri Lanka in second ODI

Bangladesh once again fell short of posting a big total despite a strong start, getting bowled out for 248 in 45.5 overs against Sri Lanka in the second ODI at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. 

Sri Lanka now needs 249 runs to seal the three-match series with a game to spare.

Opener Parvez Hossain Emon was the top scorer for Bangladesh with a fluent 67 off 69 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. He brought up his fifty off just 46 deliveries, marking his first ODI half-century. Tawhid Hridoy also fought hard, scoring a patient 51 off 69 balls — his eighth ODI fifty — before being run out after a mix-up.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat, hoping to bounce back after losing the first ODI. However, their top order crumbled under pressure. Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who had scored 62 in the previous match, fell for just 7 runs off 11 balls, edging a slower delivery from Asitha Fernando to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. Nazmul Hossain Shanto also failed to convert his start, holing out for 14 off 19 balls.

Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued his poor form, managing only 9 runs off 10 deliveries before falling to Dushmantha Chameera. Shamim Hossain Patwari looked promising with a quick 22 off 23 balls but was caught trying to clear the fine leg boundary.

Bangladesh was struggling at 159 for 5 when Hridoy and Zakir Ali steadied the innings with a 45-run partnership. Zakir contributed 24 runs before being trapped lbw. After Hridoy’s dismissal, the tail offered little resistance. Hasan Mahmud and Tanvir Islam fell cheaply, though Tanzim Hasan Sakib added a handy unbeaten 16 to lift Bangladesh past 240.

Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 wickets for 35 runs.