Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2018: A Thrilling Cricket Series
The year 2018 witnessed an exciting cricket series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, a testament to the growing competitiveness of the latter in international cricket. This article delves into the details of the SL vs BAN 2018 series, highlighting key matches, performances, and the impact on both teams' rankings.
Series Overview
The SL vs BAN 2018 series comprised three ODIs and two Tests, held in Sri Lanka from March 6 to 14, 2018. Bangladesh, fresh from their historic win against Australia, were brimming with confidence, while Sri Lanka, despite their struggles, were eager to defend their home turf.
ODI Series
The ODI series started on a high note for Bangladesh, with them winning the first match by 79 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim's century and Shakib Al Hasan's all-round performance set the tone for Bangladesh's dominance. However, Sri Lanka bounced back in the second ODI, thanks to Angelo Mathews' century and Suranga Lakmal's five-wicket haul, leveling the series 1-1.
The deciding third ODI was a nail-biter. Bangladesh, chasing 222, were cruising at one point but lost their way, thanks to Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling. However, a late surge from Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim helped Bangladesh secure a thrilling three-wicket win, clinching their first-ever bilateral ODI series win against Sri Lanka.
Test Series
The Test series started with Bangladesh securing a historic win in the first Test, their maiden Test victory on Sri Lankan soil. Mominul Haque's double century and Shakib Al Hasan's all-round performance were the highlights of Bangladesh's innings. Sri Lanka, despite a fighting century from Dinesh Chandimal, fell short by 43 runs.
The second Test was a low-scoring affair, with Sri Lanka prevailing by four wickets. Bangladesh, despite a valiant effort from their bowlers, couldn't prevent Sri Lanka from chasing down a modest target. This win helped Sri Lanka square the series 1-1.
Impact on Rankings
Bangladesh's series win against Sri Lanka was a significant milestone in their cricketing journey. They climbed to the sixth position in the ICC ODI rankings, their highest ever at that point. Sri Lanka, despite the series loss, managed to retain their eighth position in the rankings.
In the Test rankings, Sri Lanka retained their ninth position, while Bangladesh moved up to the tenth spot, thanks to their historic win in the first Test.
Notable Performances
- Mushfiqur Rahim: The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman was the standout performer in the series, scoring two centuries and a fifty in the ODIs.
- Shakib Al Hasan: The Bangladesh all-rounder was instrumental in Bangladesh's series win, scoring a century and taking crucial wickets in both ODIs and Tests.
- Angelo Mathews: The Sri Lankan all-rounder played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's fightback in the ODI series, scoring a century and taking wickets in the Tests.
Looking Ahead
The SL vs BAN 2018 series was a testament to Bangladesh's growing prowess in international cricket. Both teams would look to build on these performances, with Sri Lanka aiming to regain their lost glory and Bangladesh looking to cement their place among the top teams in world cricket.
