Colombo, 9 September 2023: Sri Lanka started their super-four stage with a win, after prevailing in a close contest against Bangladesh. Batting first on the Colombo pitch, Sri Lanka scraped to a defendable total of 257 runs. Backed by their bowling performance, with three of the Sri Lankan bowlers getting three-fers to their name, they were able to defend 257 against Bangladesh.
After losing the toss, Sri Lanka were put in to bat first. Sri Lanka got to a steady start; despite losing a wicket in the first powerplay, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis kept the scorecard running. A partnership of 74 runs between the two helped Sri Lanka get in a comfortable position. However, once this partnership was broken, Sri Lanka struggled to find stability. While Sadeera Samarawickrama stood on one end, wickets kept falling on the other. Bangladesh bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, with three wickets each to their name, became a challenge for the Sri Lankans to get past.
Eventually, a partnership of 60 runs between Samarawickrama and captain Dasun Shanaka brought Sri Lanka back in the game. It took a glorious 93 coming off Samarawickrama’s bat to help Sri Lanka get to 257.
Chasing 258, Bangladesh did not seem in any haste, as suggested by their performance in the first powerplay. After the first 10 overs, they were 47 without a loss of wicket. However, when the opening partnership was broken after remaining steady for 55 runs, Bangladesh struggled to get going.
Both Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das failed to make an impact on the chase and went back to the dugout cheaply. Eventually, a 72-run-stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy brought Bangladesh back in the game. However, Shanaka, after getting both the Bangladesh openers out earlier, struck again and broke the partnership. Bangladesh failed to recover after that; over 50 runs left to be chased with the tail exposed. Sri Lanka eventually bowled out Bangladesh for 236 runs.
The third game in the super-four stage will be played between India and Pakistan in Colombo at 2:30 PM (PST).
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka won by 21 runs
Sri Lanka: 257-9 in 50 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 93, Kusal Mendis 50; Hasan Mahmud 3-57, Taskin Ahmed 3-62)
Bangladesh: 236 all out in 48.1 overs (Towhid Hridoy 82; Dasun Shanaka 3-28, Matheesha Pathirana 3-58, Maheesh Theekshana 3-69)
Player of the match: Sadeera Samarawickrama (Sri Lanka)
