DELHI — In a finish that will be etched into cricket folklore, Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara produced a scarcely believable final over, taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries to snatch a dramatic three-run victory over Bangladesh and keep his team's faint hopes of reaching the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-finals alive.
The match, played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, was a virtual must-win for Sri Lanka to have any chance of progressing from Group 2. Defending a modest total of 124, the Sri Lankan bowlers had fought valiantly, but with Bangladesh needing just 12 runs from the final six balls with six wickets in hand, the game appeared to be slipping away.
The Calm Before the Storm
For the first 19 overs, the game followed a tense, attritional script. Sri Lanka's innings had been a struggle from the outset, with the Bangladeshi spinners, led by the excellent Rishad Hossain (3/22), applying relentless pressure. Only a gritty 31 from Pathum Nissanka and a late cameo from Wanindu Hasaranga (21 off 15) pushed the total past 120, a score that looked at least 15 runs short of being competitive.
In response, Bangladesh seemed to be cruising towards the target, albeit slowly. Towhid Hridoy played the anchor role to perfection, compiling a patient 40 from 39 balls. With the experienced Mahmudullah Riyad (16*) at the crease and the required run rate well under control, the dressing room was likely already preparing for a victory celebration. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto later admitted, "We were in a commanding position. We should have closed it out without any drama."
The Over That Changed Everything
The responsibility for the final over fell on the shoulders of Nuwan Thushara, a right-arm seamer known for his slingy action. The first two balls were dots, heaping immense pressure on the batting side. The equation was now 12 runs from 4 balls. On the third ball of the over, Mahmudullah, attempting a desperate heave over midwicket, could only sky the ball high into the night air, where Dhananjaya de Silva settled under it to take a simple catch.
What followed was a blur of carnage that sent the Sri Lankan supporters into a frenzy and left the Bangladeshi camp in stunned silence. The sequence of destruction was as follows:
- Ball 3: Mahmudullah c de Silva b Thushara (16 off 19)
- Ball 4: Towhid Hridoy b Thushara (40 off 39) - A perfect yorker that shattered the stumps.
- Ball 5: Taskin Ahmed b Thushara (0 off 1) - Another searing yorker, another set of stumps disturbed.
- Ball 6: Mustafizur Rahman lbw b Thushara (0 off 1) - Pinned plumb in front of the stumps.
In the space of six legitimate deliveries, Thushara had single-handedly turned the match on its head, finishing with remarkable figures of 4 for 18. The hat-trick, followed by a fourth wicket, sent the Sri Lankan players into wild celebrations. A visibly emotional Thushara stated after the match, "I just tried to bowl yorkers. I cannot believe what has happened. This is for the fans who have supported us through a tough time."
The Aftermath and Qualification Scenarios
The victory, secured with just three runs to spare, injects crucial life into Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign. They now have two points from three matches, but their net run rate received a significant boost. For Bangladesh, the loss is nothing short of catastrophic, leaving them with just one point and effectively ending their semi-final hopes barring a series of mathematical miracles.
The result leaves Group 2 wide open. South Africa sits comfortably at the top with a perfect record, while the second spot is now a fierce battle between Sri Lanka, England, and the West Indies. Sri Lanka's path to the semi-finals is narrow but clear. They must win their final group match against the Netherlands convincingly and hope that other results, particularly England's matches against the USA and West Indies, go their way.
Captain Wanindu Hasaranga, who was also instrumental with the ball, praised his team's fighting spirit. "We never gave up. Even when it looked difficult, we believed we could win. Thushara was unbelievable. This is the character we need to show in every game from here."
A Moment of History and Heartbreak
Thushara's feat of taking four wickets in four balls, known as a 'double hat-trick', is an exceedingly rare event in international cricket. It has only been achieved a handful of times in T20 International history, placing the bowler in an elite club. For Bangladesh, however, the match will be remembered as one of the most devastating collapses in their cricketing history.
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy, who was dismissed on the fourth ball of the fateful over, could only look on in disbelief. "It's very difficult to digest. We were so close. One over changed everything. We have to learn from these situations and be stronger."
The match served as a brutal reminder of the fine margins in T20 cricket and why the format is so unpredictable. While Sri Lanka's semi-final destiny is not entirely in their own hands, they have, at the very least, given themselves a fighting chance and provided the tournament with one of its most iconic and thrilling moments. The final group matches now carry immense weight, with Sri Lanka's dramatic victory ensuring the race for the semi-finals will go down to the wire.