Sri Lanka lose to Bangladesh by 163 runs

Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh by 163 runs being dismissed for 157 in 32.2 overs in reply to host’s 320 for 7 wickets in the team’s second match of the Tri Nation Series, which was played in Dhaka. The tall order requiring the calm of measured batting approach by the Sri Lankans did not materialise against some tight bowling and fielding by the Bangladeshi’s who profited by some indiscreet strokes by the Lankan top order.

Handicapped by the injury side-lining of regular captain, Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka’s most experienced campaigner, Lankan was up against the Bangladeshi top order batters as they posted big partnerships from 71 for the first wicket between Tamim Iqbal (84) and Anamul Haque (36), 99 for the second wicket between Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan (67), and 157 for the third wicket between Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim (62). Iqbal proved to be the driving force in fashioning out the big target for the Sri Lankans to chase in his 102-ball knock inclusive of 7 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Thisara Perera claimed 3 for 60 and Nuwan Pradeep 2 for 66.

The Sri Lankans lost their way with Kusal Janith falling for 1 run with the total on 1. Upul Tharanga threatened but exited for 25 with the total on 43 just when it looked like he was forging a partnership with Kusal Mendis. He was followed by Mendis for 19 and Niroshan Dickwella for 16 with wickets falling at regular intervals. The last hope was stand in captain Dinesh Chandimal, but that evaporated when he was run out for 28. At 117 for 6 after Asela Gunaratne was out for 16, Thisara Perera did attempt to hit around but in a lost cause exiting for 29 with no batting left as Sri Lanka was all out for 157.

Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers with 3 for 47.

By Srian Obeyesekere