Colombo: Sri Lanka sealed their first Super-4 match of the Asia Cup by 21 runs against Bangladesh, thanks to Sadeera Samarawickrama 93 and their bowlers led by Maheesh Theekshana at R Premadasa Stadium here on Saturday.
It was a hard-earned victory, especially when Sri Lanka lost their plot before Sadeera rose from the ashes on a tricky wicket and batted with great aplomb.
The Lankans then turned it on with the ball when Towhid Hridoy was looking menacing to guide Bangladesh past the 258 runs target. Bangladesh were tottering at 83/4 when Dasun Shanaka threatened the top order with short-pitched balls.
A resilient partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Hridoy added 72 runs off 112 balls.
Shanaka broke the partnership by taking Mushfiqur's wicket as he scored 29 off 48 balls.
Hridoy played valiantly, scoring 82 off 97 balls in an attempt to chase the target, but he was eventually dismissed by Theekshana.
Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Shanaka picked 3 wickets for 28 runs, while Matheesha Pathirana contributed with 3 wickets for 58 runs, and Theekshana also impressed with 3 wickets for 69 runs, maintaining the pressure on Bangladesh.
In the end, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, winning by a margin of 21 runs.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh chose to field, restricting Sri Lanka to 257/9 in 50 overs.
Sri Lanka's openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne, provided an electrifying start to their innings.
However, Hasan Mahmud of Bangladesh dismissed Karunaratne for 18 runs off 17 balls during the powerplay, setting the tone for the match.
Mahmud continued to impress, and Shakib Al Hasan, along with Nasum Ahmed, kept it tight after the powerplay.
Nissanka and wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis forged a valuable partnership, contributing 74 runs off 107 balls.
Shoriful Islam broke this partnership with an excellent slower delivery that dismissed Nissanka for 40 off 60 balls. He further rattled Sri Lanka by dismissing the set batsman Mendis, who had scored his second consecutive half-century with 50 off 73 balls.
Despite this pressure, Shanaka and Sadeera displayed resilience, adding 60 runs off 57 balls to boost Sri Lanka's total to 257. Sadeera played a crucial role, finishing with an impressive 93 runs off 72 balls.
Bangladesh's bowling figures were led by Taskin Ahmed, who picked up 3 wickets for 62 runs, while Shoriful Islam contributed with 2 wickets for 48 runs. Hasan Mahmud also impressed with 3 wickets for 57 runs. (UNI)
