Towhid Hridoy’s 82-run fighting knock went in vain as Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka in the Super 4 Asia Cup clash at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. It was Bangladesh’s second loss in the Super 4 stage as earlier they lost to Pakistan in Lahore. Chasing the 258-run target, Bangladesh were bundled out for just 236 in 48.1- overs and suffered a 21-run defeat.
Hridoy fought a lone battle for the visitors as he didn’t get much support from the other end. Maheesh Theekshana trapped him in front of the wicket as Bangladesh lost their way in the chase. Hridoy hit 7 fours and six during his 97-ball stay in the middle.
Mushfiqur Rahim (29), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (28) and Mohammad Naim (21) were off to good starts but failed to get going as Bangladesh failed to find the right momentum in the chase.
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For Sri Lanka, skipper Dasun Shanaka, Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana were the picks of the bowlers with three wickets each under their kitty.
Earlier, after being asked to bowl first, Sri Lanka posted a challenging 257/9 on the scoreboard courtesy of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 93-run knock.
The right-handed batter played some exquisite shots and helped Sri Lanka get past the 250-run mark. H was dismissed on the final ball of the innings, his knock was laced with 8 fours and 2 sixes.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka lost Dimuth Karunaratne early for 18 as Hasan Mahmud struck in his first over. The hosts recovered early as Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stitched a 74-run stand for the second wicket. Mendis, in particular, looked scratchy in the middle and there were edges and false shots galore in his 73-ball 50.
However, Shoriful Islam got the better of both Nissanka (40) and Mendis (50) in back-to-back to dent Sri Lanka’s innings. Charith Asalanka (10) and Dhananjaya de Silva (6) also failed to get going and lost their wickets after playing some irresponsible shots.
Samarawickrama reached his 50 in 47 balls and accelerated in a 60-run partnership with Dasun Shanaka, who made 24, to rouse the home fans at a largely empty ground.
Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they failed to get past 270, however, 257 also turned out to be enough for them to earn a victory.
Bangladesh were served well by Hasan Mahmud (3 for 57), while Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed shared four wickets among them equally.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 257 for 9 in 50 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 93, Kusall Mendis 50; Hasan Mahmud 3/57) Bangladesh: 236 all out in 48.1overs (Towhid Hridoy 82, Mushfiqur Rahim 29; Dasun Shanaka 3/28)
