Asia Cup 2010: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh
Sri Lance continued their winning streak in the Asia cup after overpowering the un-fancied Bangladesh team by 126 runs. And now with two wins under their belt from two games, Sri Lanka has all but confirmed their place in the final of the Asia Cup 2010.
After winning the toss, Sangakkara chose to bat first on a pitch which looked perfect for batting, and his decision was vindicated by the start that the openers provided. Upul Tharanga and Tilekaratne Dilshan were on the front foot right from the start, hammering the helpless Bangladesh bowling attack to all corners of the ground. Dilshan looked to have found some form with the bat which had seen him light up the 2009 T20 World Cup in England. With his famous inventive strokes, and the shot associated only by Dilshan known as the Dil-Scoop, the player toyed around with the bowlers, smashing 71 runs in just 51 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and one six in the process. Dilshan was sent back by the opposition Captain Shakib Al Hasan after the left-arm-spinner caught him off his own bowling with the score at 111 in the 16th over. That is when his opening partner Tharanga was joined by Captain Sangakkara, both put on 45 runs for the second wicket, before Tharanga was caught behind off the bowling of Mahmudullah for 54.
Former captain Jayewardene was in next and continued the run fest, while Sangakkara from the other end was also in good touch, but was cautious in his approach as he looked to hold up one end, the two most experienced men in that team made sure that the batsmen coming in down the order had a solid enough platform to launch the attack in the death over’s. Both put on 69 for the third wicket, as Jayewardene was dismissed for 43 quick runs from only 35 balls. His innings included 6 boundaries. Captain Shakib Al Hasan was the man under the ball on the bowling of Sahfiul Islam as Sri Lanka was sailing at 224 for 3 in the 38th over. Sangakkara was also dismissed soon after as the same duo came together to get his wicket after he had scored a solid 52 from 69 balls (including 4 boundaries).
The inform all-rounder Angelo Mathews had the perfect scenario to cut loose and alongside another big hitter Kapugedara, he guided the Lankans to the close of the innings. Both displayed some good aggressive shots as Mathews scored 42 form 41 balls with one boundary and a six. On the other hand, Kapugedara scored 37 from 30 balls including 2 towering sixes and one four. Sri Lanka ended at 312 for the loss of 4 wickets in the allotted 50 over’s. Shafi Ul Islam was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh who took 2 wickets.
The fragile Bangladesh batting was always going to be tested against a potent Sri Lankan attack, and with such a big total, they were under pressure right from the start. Imrul Kayes was dismissed for just 3 runs. As a result, Junaid Shafique at number three provided some stability. However, the required rate was more than 6 at the start of the game but the rate kept going up. Looking at the conditions, Junaid skied one to Jayewardene for 38 runs. Following his partner, the team’s highest scorer Tamim Iqbal scored 51 from 53 balls, with 5 boundaries and one six. After his dismissal, it was all downhill for Bangladesh as they could not withstand the shear quality of the opposition attack. One after the other, wickets kept tumbling, and Bangladesh eventually folded for only 186 runs, handing Sri Lanka 126 run win. The chief tormentor from Sri Lanka was Dilshan who captured 3 wickets, and coupled with his brilliant batting display was the obvious choice for man of the match. Pakistan will take on India on Saturday in the next match of Asia cup, 2010.
The arch rivals will meet after a long break, the two teams met last in the champions’ trophy where Pakistan beat their arch rivals. India on the other hand, after two disappointing tours, will be looking to come back hard at Pakistan.
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