Matheesha Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers as the depleted Sri Lankan pace battery was enough to skittle out a below-par Bangladesh for just 164 runs in the second match of the Asia Cup on Thursday.
Najmul Hossain Shanto was the only Bangladesh batter to put up any sort of resistance with 89 as the team around him collapsed like dominoes with 7 batters not even crossing single digits. Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in their opening match.
Sri Lanka have lost Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madhushanka to various injuries, while Kusal Perera is yet to make full recovery from COVID-19 infection. On the other hand, Bangladesh will miss the services of injured Tamim Iqbal, pacer Ebadot Hossain and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das.
Sri Lanka took a firm control of the proceedings early in the match, taking three wickets in the first 10 overs, which included the wicket of captain Shakib Al Hasan. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tawhid Hridoy then steadied proceedings before the latter fell while the stand was on 59 off 80. Shanto has stayed steady at one end while Bangladesh continue to lose wickets at the other. The wheels then well and truly came off after the 40th over and Shanto himself fell on 89 off 122 balls. Bangladesh were eventually all out for 164. Rain had been predicted for the day and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka had said that he has factored it in his plans for the day. There was a very brief interruption but apart from that, the clouds have stayed away thus far. Bangladesh made a good account of themselves in the Sri Lankan innings though. While they kept a firm control on the proceedings, half centuries from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka coupled with the below par score has allowed Sri Lanka to all but confirm victory. Samarawickrama scored 54 off 77 and Asalanka finished unbeaten on 62 off 92
Sri Lanka took a firm control of the proceedings early in the match, taking three wickets in the first 10 overs, which included the wicket of captain Shakib Al Hasan. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tawhid Hridoy then steadied proceedings before the latter fell while the stand was on 59 off 80. Shanto has stayed steady at one end while Bangladesh continue to lose wickets at the other. The wheels then well and truly came off after the 40th over and Shanto himself fell on 89 off 122 balls. Bangladesh were eventually all out for 164. Rain had been predicted for the day and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka had said that he has factored it in his plans for the day. There was a very brief interruption but apart from that, the clouds have stayed away thus far. Bangladesh made a good account of themselves in the Sri Lankan innings though. While they kept a firm control on the proceedings, half centuries from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka coupled with the below par score has allowed Sri Lanka to all but confirm victory. Samarawickrama scored 54 off 77 and Asalanka finished unbeaten on 62 off 92
Asalanka in a hurry to finish this now. Sri Lanka get to 158/5 for five with that, they need just seven to win now. Bangladesh did a very good job of defending a very low total but in the end, it was just too much for them to do.
This rivalry has produced some spicy encounters in the recent past, but it wasn’t to be today as Bangladesh fizzled out with the bat. Hope the games coming up will be much closer. Until then, it’s goodbye!
Pathirana, Player of the Match: This is my first POTM for my country – really happy about that. T20 skills are good for death overs. That’s why I took my wickets with the slower balls. My action is unpredictable. It’s a good advantage for me.
Shanaka: The way bowlers executed, credit to them. Especially Theekshana up front, Dhananjaya, and Pathirana who’s bowling so well. Tricky surface. The way Sadeera batted, today was his day. Asalanka has been outstanding over last 2 years. Good signs for Sri Lankan cricket.
Shakib: It wasn’t a 300 wicket. 220-230 would’ve given us more chance. Didn’t bat well as a unit. Have to regroup, have another important game in a couple of days. Needed couple more wickets when they were 3 down for 30. We picked up wickets but didn’t have enough on the board. There were a lot of nerves when we started the game. Lot of guys playing Asia Cup for first time. They’ve been playing good cricket that’s why they’re in dressing room.
Samarawickrama: It was not easy at that time, two wickets down early, my plan was to be positive and at the same time build a partnership. It’s not easy to bat on this wicket, spinning and a bit slow and a bit in it for the fast bowlers. I have always backed my strength, normally cover drive and pull shot and I try to stay positive.