Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by three wickets
Cricket
Shanto and Shakib stitched together 169-run partnership to put the Tigers on path to victory
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) – Bangladesh on Monday beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in a match of the World Cup 2023 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
Bangladesh lost openers Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das early in the Powerplay to Madushanka, who continued his impressive new-ball spells.
The Tigers were put on the path to victory by Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan, who stitched together a 169-run partnership in the run-chase.
At one point, both batters seemed to be on course for their individual hundreds, but Angelo Mathews extracted revenge for a first-innings mishap that saw him timed out. The all-rounder sent back Shakib with a cutter that found the leading edge and promptly gave him a send-off.
Later, Mahmudullah Riyad tried to maintain the momentum but he was dismissed by Theekshana followed by two more wickets in quick sessions. Tawhid Hridoy and Tanzim Hasan Sakib from tail order paired up to ensure the victory for their side in 42nd over.
Earlier, a discipled century from Charith Asalanka helped Sri Lanka set 280 runs target for Bangladesh.
The Tigers found an early breakthrough when Mushfiqur Rahim made a sensational catch behind the wicket to dismiss Kusal Perera in the first over.Tanzim Hasan Sakib removed Pathum Nissanka, who tried to take a strong start but fell for 41 off 36.
Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarwickrama paired up to put scores on the board but things turned dramatically Bangladesh's way in the 25th over when Samarawickrama was dismissed following which Angelo Mathews was timed out for taking too much time to walk in.
Asalanka smashed 108 while Dhananjaya de Silva made 34 and Maheesh Theekshana scored 22 in final overs to boost the total. However, the team was bowled out for 279 in 49.3 overs.
Earlier Coverage
Sri Lanka need plenty to go right for them if they are to sneak into the knockout stages of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and a commanding victory over Bangladesh is a crucial starting point.
Injuries to key players has hurt Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign, but the Island nation can still qualify for the semi-finals with victories over Bangladesh and New Zealand over the next week.
They will also need a host of other results to fall their way, but for now all they can concentrate on is registering a third win of the tournament by defeating fellow Asian side Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's sole victory at the World Cup came in their opening fixture against Afghanistan in Dharamsala and six straight losses since that match has left Shakib Al Hasan's side without any hope of qualifying for the semi-finals.
They do still have plenty to play though and will be keen to put a dent in Sri Lanka's chances by picking up their second triumph of what has been a disappointing campaign.
Veterans Litton Das, Mahmudullah and Shakib will be relied upon to score freely for Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka will look to the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and skipper Kusal Mendis to get going with the bat.
Spin is likely to be a major factor in this clash, with Shakib to lead Bangladesh's slow bowling attack and players in the ilk of Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage sure to be prominent for Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan started the World Cup in sensational style with a three-wicket haul against Afghanistan, but hasn't quite been at his best since and has only managed a total of seven wickets from six matches at the tournament thus far.
A pair of scores in the 40s has been his best effort with the bat during that run and the experienced skipper will be keen to improve his output against Sri Lanka.
For Sri Lanka Kusal Mendis looked to be in superb touch earlier in the tournament as he added to his tremendous 158 against Afghanistan during the warm-up fixtures by hitting an excellent knock of 122 against Pakistan in Hyderabad.
It's all been downhill for the stand-in Sri Lanka captain since then, who has managed just one score in excess of 11 - he contributed 39 against Afghanistan in Pune - as the Asian side almost slipped out of contention for a semi-final berth.
If Sri Lanka are to stay in the race for the semis then Mendis needs to find his best form, and quickly.
Squads
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.
