Sports Reporter :
Sri Lanka made a fighting total of 311 off 49.5 overs in their first innings against Bangladesh in the second One Day International (ODI) match at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka could add at least 15 to 20 runs in their total but pacer Taskin Ahmed hit a hat-trick, which helped the Tigers to restrict Sri Lanka from a massive total. Taskin hit his hat-trick in the last over.
Set batsman third-down Asela Gunaratne was caught at the mid-off by Soumya Sarkar off Taskin Ahmed.
Suranga Lakmal was caught at the mid-wicket by Mustafizur Rahman off Taskin Ahmed.
Then Taskin Ahmed cleanly bowled out Nuwan Pradeep and fulfilled his hat-trick.
Taskin Ahmed captured four wickets at the cost of 47 runs.
Sri Lanka had a shaky start as opener Danushka Gunathilaka (9) was caught by Mushfiqur Rahim off Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when the islanders’ total was just 18.
After dismissal of Gunathilaka, opener Upul Tharanga and one-down Kusal Mendis put on together 111 runs for the second wicket partnership before Tharanga was run out by a direct throw of Mahmudulah Riyad when the hosts’ score was 129 for the loss of two wickets.
Kusal Mendis hit a superb 102. His 107-ball innings was laced with nine fours and a sixer. It was Kusal’s maiden ODI century.
Tharanga notched up a sparkle 65. His 76-ball innings was studded with nine fours.
After Thranga departure, Mehdis and Dinesh Chandimal added together 83 runs in the third wicket stand before Chandimal was trapped leg before wicket by Mustafizur Rahman when the home side’s total was 212 for the loss of three wickets.
Chandimal scored 24 from 30 balls.
After removal of Chandimal, Kusal could stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught & bowled by Taskin Ahmed when Sri Lanka’s score was 216 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Asela Gunaratne and Milinda Siriwardana produced together 55 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Siriwardana was bowled out by Mahedi Hasan Miraz when Sri Lanka’s total was 271 for the loss of five wickets.
Siriwardana hit a run-a-ball 30 with three boundaries.
After removal of Siriwardana, Thisara Perera (9) was run out by Mushfiqur Rahim when Sri Lanka’s score was 280 for the loss of six wickets.
Six-down Dilruwan Perera (9) was run out by Mushfiqur Rahim when Sri Lanka’s total was 300 for the loss of seven wickets.
Gunaratne hit 39 from 28 balls featuring four fours and a sixer.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman got one wicket each conceding 50, 55, 60 runs respectively.
