XtraTime Web Desk: Bangladesh will face India in the final of the Nidahas Trophy 2018 on Sunday after they registered a thrilling win by 2 wickets against the hosts Sri Lanka today in Colombo, thanks to a brilliant batting display by their star batsman Mahmudullah Riyad. Earlier after winning the toss Bangladesh chose to bowl first against the Lankans. The hosts had a poor start as their two openers Danushka Gunathilaka (4) and Kushal Mendis (11) fell for cheaply. At one stage they were tottering at 41 for the loss of 5 wickets, but a fiery knock by wicket keeper batsman Kusal Perera (61) helped the hosts to reach a respectable total of 159 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers for the tigers as he scalped 2 wickets.
In reply, Bangladesh lost their opening batsman Liton Das on a duck, but another opener Tamim Iqbal stayed at the crease and played a crucial knock of 50 runs to keep the tigers in the game. In form wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim too got the start but got out after playing a handy knock of 28 runs. On the other hand, returning from a thumb injury, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan didn’t have have a good outing with the bat today as he scored only 7 runs. After Shakib’s departure the tigers were in deep trouble as they needed 23 runs from the last two overs with just 4 wickets left in the kitty. Then came star Bangladeshi batsman Mahmudullah Riyad who was leading the side in the absence of Shakib. His destructive knock of unbeaten 43 runs from 18 deliveries helped Bangladesh to cross the line with 1 ball still left in the game.
This remarkable chase will definitely give much boost to Shakib & co before facing India in the big final on Sunday.