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Asalanka's Century Too Good As Bangladesh Fail To Negotiate Sri Lanka's Spin Threat

Arnav Chopra

SL vs BAN (Source: @graynics/X.com, @dinesh_offl_06/X.com)SL vs BAN (Source: @graynics/X.com, @dinesh_offl_06/X.com)

Sri Lanka rocked Bangladesh, their biggest rivals, in the first ODI at Colombo, gaining a 1-0 lead in a three-match ODI series as they won the game comfortably by 77 runs. Courtesy of skipper Charith Asalanka's 106 and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga's four-wicket haul, Sri Lanka gained a massive upper hand in the series.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the first ODI between SL vs BAN, as it panned out at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, July 2.

Charith Asalanka's Gritty Century Gives Sri Lanka A Par Total

It all happened at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where the Sri Lankan side won the toss and opted to bat first. Tanzim Hasan Sakib, the Bangladeshi pacer, picked the wicket of Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka early on in the fourth over for a duck, as Sri Lanka, the home side, only had five runs on the board.

Following which, Nissanka's opening partner, Nishan Madushka, was cleaned up by Taskin Ahmed in the very next over for just six runs, as Sri Lanka were reeling at 11/2. Fresh from the two blows of both openers, Sri Lanka lost their third wicket in a hurry, as Kamindu Mendis became Bangladesh's third victim, going back to the hut for a four-ball duck.

Now, with just 29 runs on the board and three wickets down, the duo of wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis and skipper Charith Asalanka joined hands and pitched a brilliant 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket, helping their side recover after early jitters. Mendis played fine, scoring 45 runs off 43 deliveries, smashing six boundaries and a maximum before getting trapped in front by Tanvir Islam in the 19th over.

Janith Liyanage Joins Asalanka

On the other hand, skipper Asalanka continued his merry ways as he kept grinding in tough conditions in Colombo. Joined by Janith Liyanage, this duo again played brilliantly, batting for 76 deliveries together to score 64 runs, out of which Asalanka scored 34, and the remaining 29 came from Liyanage. However, after 153 runs were on the board, Liyanage departed, as Najmul Hossain Shanto got a wicket after his name, with Liyanage departing for just 29.

Following Liyanage, Milan Rathnayake came to the crease and gave some support to his skipper, scoring 22, while the next batter, all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, also scored 22. On the other hand, Asalanka did not back down, as he batted right until the last over and was sent back to the pavilion by Sakib for 106, which came off 123 balls with six boundaries and four maximums. By the time of Asalanka's departure, Sri Lanka were 9 down for 243.

As Sri Lanka's ninth batter fell, the final wicket didn't take much time for Bangladesh, as on the very next delivery, a mix-up between Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando saw the former getting run out after securing one run.

In the end, the home side were cleaned up for 244 after facing 49.2 overs, with Sri Lanka's top scorer, Asalanka, scoring a brilliant 106, giving Bangladesh a tough fight in these conditions. Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets to his name, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked three in this game.

Spin To Win As Bangladeshi Batters Fail To Unlock Mystery

Chasing 245 for victory, Bangladesh started decently with openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hassan batting decently until 4.3 overs, when the former played a false stroke, which was caught by keeper Mendis as Asitha Fernando got the first blood for 13.

After Emon's departure, experienced Najmul Hossain Shanto walked in the centre and stitched a brilliant 71-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Tanzid, as they kept finding boundaries and kept Sri Lanka on their toes. However, as the duo went on, Bangladesh's score reached 100 in 16.2 overs.

Following this, Shanto was run out for 23, giving Sri Lanka a massive chance to fight back into the game. Making use of the opportunity, the home side capitalised, getting the next batter, Litton Das, out courtesy of Wanindu Hasaranga, who trapped him in front of the stumps for a duck.

Hasaranga Takes Charge

Tanzid, who was batting brilliantly on 62, also fell prey to Hasaranga as Bangladesh lost three wickets in quick succession.

At the same time, Kamindu Mendis knocked over Towhid Hridoy for just one. After Hridoy's departure, which was the fifth wicket to fall, skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz couldn't stay for long, as he fell for a two-ball duck, where Hasaranga caught him LBW.

The wickets kept tumbling one after the other; from being 100/1, Bangladesh were reduced to 105/8 in no time. Among the chief destroyers were Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis, as they grabbed three wickets each. After Miraz's departure, Tanzim Hasan Shakib and Taskin Ahmed were unable to do much either. While Tanvir Islam followed them, and was the lone wicket that Maheesh Theekshana picked in this game.

Bangladesh then had just 125 runs on the board with nine wickets down, requiring 120 runs more for victory, with one wicket remaining. As the chips were down, Jaker Ali came onto the crease and made full use of the opportunity.

He smashed four boundaries and as many sixes in his knock of 51, helping Bangladesh recover to some extent, but couldn't save them from the embarrassment of loss. As despite his efforts, Bangladesh were folded for 167 in 35.5 overs, with Hasaranga picking four wickets for just ten runs, whereas Mendis' three-wicket haul proved useful for the Sri Lankan side, as they picked eight out of nine wickets through spin, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable victory by 77 runs in the first ODI at Colombo.