Sadeera Samarawickrama’s brilliant innings of 93 paved the way for Sri Lanka to secure a 21-run victory in their opening Super Four match of the Asia Cup against Bangladesh this past Saturday.
Samarawickrama’s impressive performance managed to post a total of 257-9, a score that their bowlers successfully defended. This win has put Bangladesh in a precarious position, with the possibility of elimination looming in this 50-over tournament, which serves as a precursor to the upcoming World Cup in India.
Bangladesh faced an important battle when they were bowled for 236 in 48.1 overs, despite a brilliant 82 from Towhid Hridoy. This setback represented their second loss in the Super Four stage, and with just one match remaining, their hopes of making it to the final on September 17 felt like a mathematical longshot.
On his 32nd birthday, Dasun Shanaka stepped up as captain, contributing with both his bat and medium-pace bowling, scoring 24 runs and capturing three key wickets. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana and quick bowler Matheesha Pathirana also made their impact with three wickets each.
Sri Lanka, co-hosting the event with Pakistan, had early difficulties after being summoned to bat, with Bangladesh’s fast bowlers making repeated inroads. Nevertheless, Kusal Mendis and Samarawickrama ensured that Sri Lanka reached a competitive and ultimately winning score, despite the hurdles given by an uneven pitch.
Samarawickrama completed his half-century in just 45 balls and, alongside Shanaka, formed a key 60-run partnership that raised the mood of the home crowd in a mostly empty stadium.
Sri Lanka’s innings took a knock after a strong start, but Pathum Nissanka and Mendis collaborated for a 74-run partnership, exhibiting intelligent batting that forced Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan to rotate his bowlers. Shoriful Islam entered the assault and made an instant impact, eliminating Nissanka for 40.
Mendis celebrated his fifty with a boundary, but Shoriful exacted retribution just four balls later by getting him caught out. The bowlers continued to put pressure, but Samarawickrama turned the momentum with a sequence of boundaries. He topped his previous ODI best of 82 before getting removed on the penultimate ball.
Bangladesh opened strongly with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking on the Sri Lankan assault, accompanied by opener Mohammed Naim. However, Shanaka’s medium-pace passes sent Miraz packing after he scored 28.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid attempted to stage a comeback with a partnership of 72 runs, but their dreams were destroyed when Dunith Wellalage broke through, dismissing Mushfiqur, who had scored 29.
Pathirana delivered a key blow by getting Shakib caught behind for three, and with Liton Das retiring, Bangladesh found themselves battling at 83-4.
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