Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh were in a commanding position against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a challenging total of 261 off 49.3 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka were tottering at 69 for the loss of seven wickets in 19 overs till filing this report.
Bangladesh faced an early debacle as they lost two wickets for one run.
Besides, Tamim Iqbal got injury when Bangladesh’s score was just three runs.
Then Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun rescued their team from danger contributing together 131 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Mohammad Mithun was caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Perera off Lasith Malinga when the Tigers’ total was 134 for the loss three wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim played a responsible innings as he hit a superb 144. His marvelous 150-ball innings was studded with 11 fours and four sixes. It was Mushfiqur Rahim’s sixth ODI hundred.
Mohammad Mithun hit a fine 63. His 68-ball innings was laced with five fours and two sixes. It was Mithun’s maiden ODI half-century.
After dismissal of Mohammad Mithun, Bangladesh batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at the long-on by Kusal Mendis off Thisara Perera when the team’s innings came to an end.
Lasith Malinga captured four wickets at the cost of 23 runs, while Dhananjaya de Silva bagged a couple of wickets instead of 38 runs.
Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera and Amila Aponso took one wicket each for 46, 51 and 55 runs respectively.
Later, Bangladesh bowlers dominated over the Lankan batsmen.
Sri Lanka had a shaky start as opener Kusal Mendis (0) was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman when the islanders’ score was 22 for the loss of one wicket.
Then opener Upul Tharanga (27) was bowled out by experienced pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when Sri Lanka’s total was 28 for the loss of two wickets.
Second-down Dhannjaya de Silva (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when Sri Lanka’s score was 32 for the loss of three wickets.
After Dhananjaya’s dismissal, Kusal Perera (11) was trapped leg before wicket by Mehidy Hasan Miraz when Sri Lanka’s total was 38 for the loss of four wickets.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged a pair of wickets at the cost of 29 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket apiece.
