Pallekelle, 31 August 2023: Bangladesh attempted a fightback but Sri Lanka remained dominant in the second game of the Super 11 Asia Cup 2023 to win by five wickets and 11 overs to spare. A 78-run-partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka cemented the match in Sri Lanka’s favour, complementing the performance displayed by the Sri Lankan bowlers in the first innings, when they had the Bangladesh team bowled out for 164 runs.
Bangladesh won the toss, and captain Shakib Al Hasan opted to bat first. The Sri Lankan bowling attack proved to be a challenge for the Bangladesh batting line-up, considering how it never steadied after the top-order was dismissed cheaply.
Rising to the challenge, Najmul Hossain Shanto produced a gritty knock of 89 runs, which eventually proved insufficient, with the rest of his team folding for a below-par total that the Sri Lankan side disposed of without serious trouble.
Considering that the Sri Lankan side was missing their ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, the performance displayed in the first innings was beyond remarkable. Matheesha Pathirana produced his career-best figures of 4-32, grabbing the important wickets of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rehman and Taskin Ahmed. He was complemented by Maheesh Theekshana, who took two wickets while going for 19 runs only in his eight overs.
Although it felt like Bangladesh was in the game, after Sri Lanka had a faltering start in the second innings, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne all losing their wickets early in the innings. Half-centuries by both Samarawickrama and Asalanka helped Sri Lanka steady the ship; by the time it ended, their partnership had taken Sri Lanka in touching distance of the target.
For his brilliance with the ball, Pathirana was adjudged player of the match.
The third match of the Asia Cup will be played between India and Pakistan on 2 September 2023, 2:30 pm (PST).
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets.
Bangladesh: 164 all out in 42.4 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 89; Matheesha Pathirana 4-32, Maheesh Theekshana 2-19)
Sri Lanka: 165-5 in 39 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 54, Charith Asalanka 62*; Shakib Al Hasan 2-29)
Player of the match: Matheesha Pathirana
