Tigers toss-ed out of final

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (L) is having a mid-pitch discussion with Sri Lankan players and officials after the Asian Games semifinal was washed out at the Yeonhui Cricket Ground in Incheon yesterday. Sri Lanka progressed by virtue of a coin toss. Photo: Anisur Rahman

There seems to be no respite to Bangladesh's cricket miseries this year. Having put up disappointing performances throughout 2014, a gold medal at the Asian Games was supposed to be a silver lining for the Tigers.

However, their bid to defend their Asian Games title washed out yesterday when they lost to Sri Lanka by virtue of a toss. In a rain-hit Twenty20 semi-final the Tigers were poised at 59 for 3 in 11 overs when inclement weather abandoned the game at the Yeonhui Cricket Ground in Incheon yesterday.

As per the rules of the tournament, a coin toss was to decide who would get through and unfortunately for the Tigers, fate was against them.

They will now fight for a bronze medal against Hong Kong, who they shockingly lost to in the ICC World Twenty20 earlier this year, today morning. Sri Lanka on the other hand, will face Afghanistan for the gold medal.

The Tigers were aware of the weather forecast and even prepared themselves for a Super Over prior to the match, in case such a situation arose in the game. However, the ground remained unplayable after the shower.

As a result, the hopes of Sri Lanka chasing a revised target or the result being decided through a Super Over—the last alternative before the toss-- disappeared.

“From yesterday (Wednesday), we were worried about the forecast. We expected the match's result to be decided through a Super Over,

“But luck was not on our side. We can't control the rain after all. We are all disappointed no doubt, but right now all we can do is think about winning the bronze medal,” said a disappointed Mashrafe Bin Mortaza after the match.  

Sri Lankan captain Lahiru Thirimanne called heads and took the Lions into the finals.

Visibly irked by the defeat Mashrafe believed that the organisers should have kept a reserve day for the semifinals. 

“The tight scheduling probably did not allow organisers to keep a reserve day but it's unfair to any team that loses on the virtue of a coin toss,” said the Bangladesh captain.

After being put into bat in chilly conditions, Bangladesh openers struggled against Sri Lanka's pacer Dilhara Lokuhettigein. He removed Anamul Haque in his third delivery and then bowled Mohammad Mithun in his next over to reduce the Tigers to 3 for 2 in 2.3 overs. Things went worse when Shakib Al Hasan was caught at backward square in the fourth over. The Tigers were left reeling at 6 for 3.

However, a cautious partnership between Tamim Iqbal (24) and Sabbir Rahman (27) steadied the innings as the batsmen put up 53 runs fourth wicket before rain halted the game. 

"I was obviously not happy with the way we started. But we knew that 125 to 135 would be a challenging total on this ground. From the position we were I think we could have scored 140. We could have accelerated towards the end,” said Mashrafe.

With Bangladesh set to face Hong Kong for the second time this year, Mashrafe ensured that the scars of the defeat in the World Cup would not affect them today.

"There's no lack of confidence against Hong Kong. We had come here to win the gold medal, but now we have to ensure that we get the bronze medal,” concluded Mashrafe.

SCORES IN BRIEF

BANGLADESH: 59 for 3 in 11 overs (Tamim 24 not out, Sabbir 27 not out, extras 7; Dilhara 2 -2, Udana 1-10)

SRI LANKA: Tharanga, Chandimal, Thirimanne, Mendis, Dilhara, Rambukwella, Kulasekara, Vithanage, Udana, De Silva, Priyanjan.

Result: Sri Lanka won by spin of coin.