Three Bangladesh cricketers and an umpire picked up various injuries and illnesses during the third ODI against Sri Lanka, at Chattogram.
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With the three-match series level 1-1, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to bat during the decider at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Shoriful Islam bowled the first over, and Taskin Ahmed the second.
Taskin beat Pathum Nissanka with his second ball. In an attempt to collect the ball, wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim copped a painful blow on the thumb, and play had to be stopped as the medical staff attended to him.
Mushfiqur recovered. With the next ball, Taskin trapped Nissanka leg-before, though replays revealed that he would have survived had he reviewed the decision. Sri Lanka reached 213-7 after 47 overs. By the time Sri Lanka began batting, four men had left the field.
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Mustafizur Rahman began the 48th over with a wide. He did not bowl again,and had to stretcher him off the ground. On air, the commentators suggested that it was probably a case of heat-induced cramps: this was the first time since 2011 that Chattogram were hosting a “day” ODI (or a Test match) in March.
Soumya Sarkar completed the over and dismissed Maheesh Theekshana immediately. Shoriful bowled the 49th over, and Janith Liyanage beat Sarkar at short third to pick up four runs off the last ball. In an attempt to stop the boundary, Sarkar crashed into the advertisement hoarding and suffered concussion. At the innings break, Bangladesh substituted him with Tanzid Hasan Tamim.
Taskin bowled the final over of the innings, and Liyanage duly got his maiden ODI hundred. Pramod Madushan sliced the fifth ball of the over. In an attempt to complete the catch, Anamul Haque and substitute fielder Jaker Ali crashed into each other. Anamul held on to the catch, but Jaker had to leave the ground, and was subsequently taken to the hospital with a neck injury.
Sri Lanka eventually finished with 235, an innings where Liyanage (101 not out) was the only one to reach 40. For Bangladesh, Taskin finished with 3-37, Mustafizur 2-39, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-38.
When Bangladesh came out to bat, umpire Richard Kettleborough did not take field in the extreme heat. Reserve umpire Tanvir Ahmed walked out with Sharfuddoula instead.
Bangladesh went on to chase Sri Lanka’s score comfortably, with Mushfiqur Rahim scoring the winning runs in the 41st over, securing a four wicket win and series victory.
