Asia Cup: Hossain and Ali put record sixth-wicket stand to help Bangladesh post 139/5
Bangladesh staged a thrilling comeback in the Asia Cup on Friday, thanks to an unbeaten partnership between Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali. In the Group B clash against Sri Lanka at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Tigers recovered from a shocking early collapse to post 139/5 in 20 overs.
Things looked grim for Bangladesh right from the start. Sri Lanka’s bowlers Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera fired on all cylinders with the new ball, dismissing both openers for ducks. Thushara’s fiery delivery crashed into Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s off stump, and in the next over, Chameera got Parvez Hossain Emon caught behind. Sri Lanka even bowled two wicket-maiden overs in a row, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 0/2.
The troubles didn’t stop there. Towhid Hridoy, who had survived a close call earlier, got run out in a stunning piece of fielding by Kamil Mishara. From deep midwicket, Mishara’s direct hit found Hridoy short of his crease, making it 11/3. Captain Litton Das tried to rebuild with a steady 28 off 26 balls, but he lacked partners. After the powerplay, Wanindu Hasaranga struck twice—first trapping Mahedi Hasan lbw, then bowling Litton just before the drinks break. Bangladesh slumped to 53/5 in the 11th over.
But Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali turned the game around with a record-breaking stand. The pair added an unbeaten 86 runs for the sixth wicket—the highest for Bangladesh in that position in men’s T20Is. Shamim remained not out on 42 off 34 balls, smashing the only six of the innings in the 19th over. Jaker, also unbeaten on 41 off 34, kept the runs flowing with smart singles and quick running. Their mix of caution and aggression lifted the total to a fighting 139/5, which seemed impossible after the top-order meltdown.
Mahedi Hasan had broken the boundary drought with the first four in the fifth over, but Sri Lanka’s pace attack kept things tight early on. Now, at the halfway mark, Sri Lanka might fancy their chances, but Bangladesh’s bowlers have a decent target to defend, all thanks to Shamim and Jaker’s grit in this Asia Cup thriller.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 139/5 in 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 42, Jaker Ali 41; Wanindu Hasaranga 2/25, Dushmantha Chameera 1/17) vs Sri Lanka.
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