KANDY: Charith Asalanka’s unbeaten 62 off 92 balls and Matheesha Pathirana exceptional 4-32 performance guided Sri Lanka to a commanding five-wicket victory over Bangladesh to start their Asia Cup 2023 journey.
In the second match of the Asia Cup held at Kandy’s Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Bangladesh’s captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat. However, the Bangladesh team faced an early exit, being bowled out for 164 in 42.4 overs.
Chasing a low target, Charith Asalanka’s impressive 62 runs and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 54 runs ensured a triumphant chase for Sri Lanka, culminating in a decisive victory over Bangladesh.
Despite a shaky start that saw the home team losing three wickets for a mere 43 runs, the partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Asalanka effectively steered Sri Lanka towards a comfortable and commanding triumph.
Other batsmen, including Pathum Nissanka (14), Dimuth Karunaratne (1), Kusal Mendis (5), and Dhananjaya de Silva (2), struggled to offer significant resistance.
In the bowling department, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan displayed his expertise, claiming two wickets while conceding a mere 29 runs. Taskin Ahmed (1-34), Shoriful Islam (1-23), and Mahedi Hasan (1-35) each secured a wicket.
However, Mustafizur Rahman (0-12) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0-26) remained wicketless.
Bangladesh’s Struggles Against Sri Lanka Bowlers
In the earlier innings, Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana disrupted Bangladesh’s momentum, leading to their dismissal for 164 runs in the 42.4 over during the second match of the esteemed Asian tournament.
Apart from Najmul Hossain Shanto’s standout performance (89 off 122 balls), the batting unit faltered. The removal of Tanzid Hasan for a duck marked the beginning of their downfall.
Despite Shanto’s spirited effort, only three other Bangladesh batsmen achieved double figures: Mohammad Naim (16), Towhid Hridoy (20), and Mushfiqur Rahim (13).
The rest of the batting lineup, including Tanzid Hasan, captain Shakib Al Hasan (5), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5), Mahedi Hasan (6), Taskin Ahmed (0), Shoriful Islam (2), and Mustafizur Rahman (0), struggled to mount any significant resistance.
Shanto, who notched up seven boundaries during his cautious innings, lacked sufficient support from fellow batsmen.
Sri Lankan bowlers displayed exceptional prowess, with Pathirana (4-32) leading the charge and toppling the Bangladesh batting lineup. Maheesh Theekshana (2-19) emerged as a standout performer, applying pressure and limiting the opposition’s attacking opportunities.
Dhananjaya de Silva (1-35), Dunith Wellalage (1-30), and Dasun Shanaka (1-16) each secured a wicket. However, Kasun Rajitha (0-29) remained without a wicket.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers collectively orchestrated Bangladesh’s downfall, setting the stage for their eventual triumph in the second match of the Asia Cup.
