Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, Match 2, Asia Cup: Asalanka, Samarawickrama power Sri Lanka to five-wicket win

The opening clash of Group 2 of Asia Cup 2023 took place between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. Bangladesh, who won the toss, posted a total of just 164 runs. Sri Lanka took 39 overs to chase the target as they kickstarted their campaign with a five-wicket win.

The decision to bat first didn’t pay off for Bangladesh as it was a horrible batting display from their end. Debutant Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck and soon Mohammad Naim along with skipper Shakib Al Hasan followed him. Najmul Hossain Shanto held the one end but wickets kept falling regularly. Towhid Hridoy (20:41b) tried to get his feet going but he too fell early. Bangladesh batters looked clueless against the slinging action of Matheesha Pathirana, who picked four wickets. Shanto was the only batter in the team who looked settled as he smashed 89 runs off 122 balls with the help of seven boundaries. His batting display led Bangladesh to a total of 164 runs. For Sri Lanka, apart from Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana picked two wickets.

Sri Lanka had a shaky start with the bat in their chase as they lost three quick wickets. Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka added just 13 runs for the first wicket. Kusal Mendis looked scratchy during his stay and ended up getting bowled off Shakib Al Hasan’s delivery. Sadeera Samarawickrama (54:77b, 6x4) and Charith Asalanka then soaked in all the pressure and added 78 runs for the fourth wicket. However, Bangladesh picked two back-to-back wickets after that and came back in the game. But Asalanka (62 not out: 92b, 5x4, 1x6) held his nerves and took his team home along with skipper Dasun Shanaka (14:21b, 1x4) ) by five wickets. For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of two for 29. 

Match Summary
Bangladesh: 164 (42.4)
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Tanzid Hasan-1.2 ov), 2-25 (Mohammad Naim-7.4 ov), 3-36 (Shakib Al Hasan-10.4 ov), 4-95 (Towhid Hridoy-23.6 ov), 5-127 (Mushfiqur Rahim-32.4 ov), 6-141 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz-36.3 ov), 7-162 (Mahedi Hasan-40.5 ov), 8-162 (Najmul Hossain Shanto-41.2 ov), 9-164 (Taskin Ahmed-42.2 ov), 10-164 (Mustafizur Rahman-42.4 ov)

Sri Lanka: 165-5 (39)
Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Dimuth Karunaratne, 2.1 ov), 2-15 (Pathum Nissanka, 3.3 ov), 3-43 (Kusal Mendis, 9.2 ov), 4-121 (Sadeera Samarawickrama-29.1 ov), 5-128 (Dhananjaya de Silva-30.6 ov) 

SCORECARD

Playing XI
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

Match Details
Toss: Bangladesh, elected to bat
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Start time: 0930 hrs GMT
Match officials: Jayaraman Madanagopal, Paul Wilson (On-field Umpires); Richard Illingworth (TV Umpire); Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Reserve Umpire); Javagal Srinath (Match-referee)