SL vs BAN | Samarawickrama's 93, Bowling Magic Knock Bangladesh Out Of Asia Cup

Sadeera Samarawickrama in action against BAN in Super Four (AP Photos)

Sri Lanka put forward a comprehensive all-round performance against Bangladesh in their Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash in Colombo. Tournament co-hosts, off the back of a splendid batting exhibition from number four Sadeera Samarawickrama, charted a competitive total upfront before bowlers completed the demolition job in the run-chase.

Remarkably, Sri Lanka’s win in the game also extended their unbeaten ODI run to a record 13 matches.

Samarawickrama’s 93 uplifts SL from middle-order collapse

Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne raced to 34 off five overs before the latter became the first of Hasan Mahmud’s three victims from the afternoon. Unfazed by his partner’s early dismissal, Nissanka scored a cautious 40 and formed a 74-run second-wicket stand with Kusal Mendis, who notched up his 24th ODI fifty in the innings.

Sadeera Samarawickrama arrived to the crease at 108-2, within the 24th over of the innings. The cricketer kept losing his partners from the other end before finally forming a notable alliance with captain Dasun Shanaka in their 60-run partnership together.

Watch: Highlights from Samarawickrama’s 72-ball 93

Samarawickrama ensured runs kept flowing from his end until the final ball of the innings, where he was holed in the deep to hand Taskin Ahmed his third wicket. Regardless, his death overs surge propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive 257-9 from their 50 overs.

Bangladesh succumbs to pressure in must-win run-chase

Bangladesh middle-order failed to capitalise on the blazing start provided by their openers Mohammad Naim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Litton Das and captain Shakib Al Hasan soon perished cheaply as Bangladesh slumped from 55-0 to 83-4 in a matter of eight overs.

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka accounted for the two early wickets, and received much assistance from Matheesha Pathirana and Dunith Wellalage.

Outbound wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy sparked run-chase rebellion for nearly an hour-and-a-half through their sparkling 72-run partnership. The latter of the two even charted 82 tense runs from 97 balls. Unfortunately for Bangladesh, Hridoy missed out on a century as he was trapped in front by spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who finished with figures of 3-69 from nine overs.

Barring some entertainment from the lower-order, Bangladesh never threatened to overcome their task as they were dusted up within 21 runs from Sri Lanka’s total. Hosts captain Shanaka and in-form speedster Pathirana both claimed three wickets each emerging as the pick of the bowlers.

On the other hand, Bangladesh’s defeat put a massive dent on their Asia Cup 2023 chances, as they have likely crashed out from the tournament to make it a three-team race for the finals going ahead.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka: 257-9 (50)
Sadeera Samarawickrama 93 (72), Kusal Mendis 50 (73)
Hasan Mahmud 3-57 (9), Taskin Ahmed 3-62 (10)

Bangladesh: 236 all out (48.1)
Towhid Hridoy 82 (97), Mushfiqur Rahim 29 (48)
Dasun Shanaka 3-28 (9), Matheesha Pathirana 3-58 (9.1)

Sri Lanka won by 21 runs

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