It’s always heartening to see a youngster live up to potential. Much has been written about talented Bangladeshi batter Najmul Hossain Shanto, 25. The left-hander has matured over the last year, having played some crucial knocks in both red and white-ball formats. He was the lone warrior against a Sri Lankan bowling attack that threatened to run through the Bangladesh side in the Asia Cup Group ‘B’ match in Pallekele on Thursday. He batted with grit and determination despite wickets falling at the other end. Had he received more support from top-order batsmen like Shakib al Hasan and Mustafiqur Rahim, he could have helped the team post a fighting total.

He was the only Bangladeshi batter, who looked confident against a Sri Lankan bowling attack that was spot on. He did enjoy some early luck when Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka dropped him. Later, he was involved in a miserable run out with both Mehdi Hasan Mirza and he stuck at the same end. The way Shanto (89) continued to bat though, it seemed, Bangladesh would go well past the 225-mark. But a beautiful delivery by Maheesh Theekshana denied Shanto a well-deserved century. And once he departed, the Bangladesh innings collapsed for just 164 in 42.4 overs.