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Young Tigers defend U19 Asia Cup title after beating India

8 Dec 24

Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan said death bowling cost them the clash against Sri Lanka in a must win match of Asia Cup in Dubai.

Powerful innings by Kusal Mendis and skipper Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka pull off a thrilling two-wicket win over Bangladesh to make the Asia Cup Super Four stage on Thursday.

Chasing 184 for victory in a winner-takes-all game, Sri Lanka rode on a key 54-run stand between Mendis (60) and Shanaka (45) before the tail helped achieve their target with four balls to spare.

"Death bowling is something we are looking to improve and that has cost us the game," said Shakib of his team who have lost 15 of their last 17 T20 matches.

"The last two overs they were eight down and needed to get 17-18 (25) runs and they got with a lot of balls to spare. We are not bowling well in the death” he added.

Given the Tigers' problems in the shortest format of the game and the impending ICC T20 World Cup, Shakib warned the mega-event will present a completely different challenge.

"The last six months we haven't played well, but we have been competitive in these last two games. The World Cup will be a different challenge. We have to improve," he added.