165/5 (39.0)
CR : 4.23
164/10 (42.4)
CR : 3.84
Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Matheesha Pathirana
4/32
9:51 PM IST & Local Time | Deepak: Sri Lanka kickstarted their Asia Cup campaign with a comprehensive victory by 5 wickets with 66 balls to spare.
Earlier, deciding to bat first backfired on Bangladesh, as they were bundled out for a paltry 164 runs in 42.4 overs. They started their innings on a lackluster note, losing the top three wickets in a jiffy. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy tried to steady the ship and added 59 runs for the fourth wicket, but Shanaka trapped Hridoy for 20 runs and ceased the budding partnership. Shanto played sensibly and with authority to notch up his half-century but he didn’t get any support from the other end, as the wickets kept tumbling from the other end. Theekshana clean-bowled Shanto and halted his innings with 89 runs, and eventually, Bangladesh were bundled out for a paltry 164 runs. Matheesha Pathirana shone with the ball and bagged 4 wickets for the hosts. Theekshana chipped in with a couple of wickets, while Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, and Shanaka contributed one wicket to Bangladesh’s downfall.
In pursuit of Bangladesh’s 164 runs, Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start as they lost Pathum Nissanka (14 off 13) and Dimuth Karunaratne (1 off 3) in a jiffy. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama tried to steady the ship, but their hopes were dashed by skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who trapped Kusal for 5 runs and halted their progress.
Samarawickrama paired up with Charith Asalanka and started the rebuilding work for Sri Lanka. Samarawickrama looked well-settled in the middle and completed his half-century. Asalanka played second fiddle in the partnership. The duo looked set to take control of the game, but their partnership was finally broken by Mahedi Hasan, who dismissed Samarawickrama after his well-made half-century. This partnership had contributed 78 runs for the 4th wicket. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, the wicket of Samarawickrama was followed by the departure of Dhananjaya de Silva in the very next over, giving Bangladesh a glimmer of hope, but Asalanka (62* off 92) tailored the innings beautifully and helped his side cross the winning line comprehensively.
Shakib Al Hasan extracted a couple of wickets for Bangladesh, while Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mahedi Hasan contributed one wicket.
So, a comprehensive victory for Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh need to work on their batting ahead of their next game. Stay tuned, for the post-match presentation and captains' speaking. 🗣
Samarawickrama paired up with Charith Asalanka and started the rebuilding work for Sri Lanka. Samarawickrama looked well-settled in the middle and completed his half-century. Asalanka played second fiddle in the partnership. The duo looked set to take control of the game, but their partnership was finally broken by Mahedi Hasan, who dismissed Samarawickrama after his well-made half-century. This partnership had contributed 78 runs for the 4th wicket. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, the wicket of Samarawickrama was followed by the departure of Dhananjaya de Silva in the very next over, giving Bangladesh a glimmer of hope, but Asalanka (62* off 92) tailored the innings beautifully and helped his side cross the winning line comprehensively.
Shakib Al Hasan extracted a couple of wickets for Bangladesh, while Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mahedi Hasan contributed one wicket.
So, a comprehensive victory for Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh need to work on their batting ahead of their next game. Stay tuned, for the post-match presentation and captains' speaking. 🗣
Sadeera Samarawickrama: “Yeah, it was not easy at that time because we were two wickets down early. It was about going there, build partnerships. It is not easy to bat on these wickets. It was spinning and slow to the fast bowlers. I just backed myself and played positive.
I have always backed my strength. That's my strength in batting. Like the pull shots in any situations, I back my shots.”
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh Captain): "Yeah, it wasn't a 300 wicket. It was sort of 220-250 would have given us a lot more chance in 50 overs. I think I have got more responsibility. Unfortunately, today I was not able to do that for my team.
We have to regroup and in a couple of days we have to play another important game. We have a lot to take from here.
We have to regroup and in a couple of days we have to play another important game. We have a lot to take from here.
Yes, when they [ Sri Lanka during chase] are 3 down for 13, we know we need a few more wickets. Bowlers have been doing their job well for some time now. Bowlers- pacers and spinners, they keep on taking wickets.
Yeah, there are lot of nerves when we started the game. It eased off as we played the game. I think they can learn from this and go on. No, I mean, they [Mushfiqur and other seniors] have been playing some good cricket and that's why they are in the dressing room. I have no doubts on them."
Yeah, there are lot of nerves when we started the game. It eased off as we played the game. I think they can learn from this and go on. No, I mean, they [Mushfiqur and other seniors] have been playing some good cricket and that's why they are in the dressing room. I have no doubts on them."
10:10 PM IST & Local Time: Time for the post-match presentation.
Catch of the match: Kusal Mendis.
Maximum Sixes of the match: Charith Asalanka (1 Six)
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka Captain): "Absolutely, we thought it was great to see the way the bowlers executed. Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theeskahana and of course Matheesha Pathirana, he was amazing. We saw it in the LPL. I thought, and our team had a group discussion, and therefore the decision [on holding Pathirana late].
I think Sadeera, the way he fielded [batted], he took the chance and did a great job. And Charith, he has been doing these for Sri Lanka for the past two years and once again was brilliant. Thank You so much.”
Player of the match: Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana (Player of the Match): "This is my first Player of the Match award for my country so I am very happy. The T-20 skills are very useful in death overs and I took wickets with the slower deliveries in the death overs. Also, my action is a bit unpredictable which gives me an extra advantage."
That concludes our coverage as well. A comprehensive victory for Sri Lanka in their inaugural match of Asia Cup 2023. We hope you enjoyed our live coverage and it's time to bid adieu from this game but plenty of cricket is going on all across the world, so you can switch tabs and enjoy them.
I, Deepak Prakash am signing off on behalf of esteemed co-commentators Arijit Kundu, AkshayaKrishna Polya, and scorer/analyst Zeeshan Naiyer. CHEERS!
I, Deepak Prakash am signing off on behalf of esteemed co-commentators Arijit Kundu, AkshayaKrishna Polya, and scorer/analyst Zeeshan Naiyer. CHEERS!