Bangla Tigers tame Lankan Lions

Bangladesh made a fine team effort to beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets with 53 balls to spare in their World Cup match at Arun Jaitley International Cricket Stadium in Delhi yesterday. With this defeat Sri Lanka will be eliminated from this World Cup with one more match to spare.

Bangladesh chasing a target of 280 runs skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto added match winning 169 runs third wicket stand to outclass Sri Lanka in first time of the history in World Cup after facing five World Cup meetings.

The defeat of Sri Lanka made Charith Asalanka’s century in vain. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 90 in 101 balls with 12 fours while skipper Shakib scored 82 in 65 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes changed this game to their favour.

Sri Lanka bowlers couldn’t make big challenge from the start and Bangladesh batters got advantage of dew factor. Kasun Rajitha gave away 47 runs wicket-less in his four overs while off spinner Dhananjaya de Silva gave away 20 runs in his 3 overs wicket less.

Experienced Angelo Mathews who was unlucky to missed his first wicket in his first over (dropped catch from Shakib which was the turning point) later took 2 for 35 runs and once again young Dilshan Madushanka was the most successful bowler having 3 for 69 in his 10 overs spell to become highest wickets taker so far with 21 wickets. In fact with this defeat this time Sri Lanka lost to all Asian countries India , Pakistan, Afganistan and Bangladesh.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan was adjudged Man of the Match with his good all round performance. Bangladesh having this victory moved to 7th place while Sri Lanka on 8th place and Sri Lanka still have difficultly to get qualification for 2025 Champions trophy tournament.

Sri Lanka invited to bat first were unable to get good start as their inform dashing stroke maker Kusal Janith Perera scoring only boundary was out. Wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim hold an outstanding catch off Shoriful Islam and Perera was departed at last ball of the first over and Sri Lanka were 4 for 1.

Skipper Kusal Mendis joined with Pathum Nissanka and inform Nissanka was in an aggressive mood while Mendis was under pressure and unable to display his usual form and made very slow progress.

Nissanka hit all over the ground started with very positive mood and Sri Lanka were 52 for 1 after first power play having a good run rate of 5.2. When the total reach 66 Mendis tried to increase the total but the result was Shoriful Islam took a catch at long on position over skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mendis’ slow innings of 19 came on 30 balls with a four and a six.

Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama were the two batters repaired the innings while Asalanka the 26 year old left hander took more responsibility to build up the total in great style.

The inform batter Sadeera Samarawickrama with Asalanka added 63 runs fourth wicket stand while Samarawickrama tried to make a big shot and Mahamadulla took a catch at mid wicket position. Shakib accounted his second wicket at 24.2 over.

The most unfortunate incident happened after dismissal of Samarawickrama while experienced Angelo Mathews was timed out and this was the first time a batter was timed out at International game and Sri Lanka were highly disappointed with this wicket. Due to Mathews helmat issue he was bit late (more then 2 minutes) to face the ball of Shakib Al Hasan and Shakib was very un sporty this time appealed and after referred to DRS third umpire Nitin Menon gave Mathews out in 24th over and Sri Lanka were 135 for 5 wickets.

Charith Asalanka played with his full potential to reach his fifty in 56 balls while he completed well deserved century and in the 49 over bowled by new comer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Litton Das took a catch at deep point and Asalanka ‘ s vital innings of 108 in 105 with 6 fours and 5 sixes ended.

This was his first World Cup century which boosted Sri Lanka to pass 275 mark. All rounder Dhananjaya de Silva replaced for Dusan Hemantha hit valuable 34 in 36 balls with 4 fours and a six while Maheesh Theekshana scored 22 in 31 balls with 3 fours and Sri Lanka finally ammased 279 all out with three balls to spare .

The 21 year old right arm paceman Tanzim Hasan Sakib was more expensive given away 80 runs taking 3 wickets in his 10 over spell while Shoriful Islam and Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets each.

Sri Lanka made two changes while Kusal Janith Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva brought into the side for Dimuth Karunaratne and Dushan Hementha. But Perera was once again failed to impress with the bat.

Afganistan will meet Australia in their match today at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai while this is going to be very important for both teams to ensure their semi final berth and Australia have more chance with highest net run rate.

The post Bangla Tigers tame Lankan Lions appeared first on DailyNews.