Pathum Nissanka scored a brilliant half-century as Sri Lanka outclassed arch-rivals Bangladesh to start their Asia Cup campaign with a commanding six-wicket win in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. After restricting Bangladesh to 139 for five, Sri Lanka comfortably chased down the target in 14.4 overs, finishing on 140 for four with 32 balls to spare. The victory not only secured three points but also gave Sri Lanka’s net run rate a significant boost, putting them in a strong position in Group B.
Even though Mustafizur Rahman (1/35) claimed an early wicket, removing Kusal Mendis (3) in the second over, Bangladesh’s seamers were unable to use the new ball effectively or slow the flow of runs, as Sri Lanka raced to 55 for one in the powerplay.
Kamil Mishara enjoyed a slice of luck when Mahedi Hasan dropped a difficult chance off Shoriful Islam in the fifth over, with the fielder diving to his left from mid-on. Mishara made the most of it, attacking Islam for 18 runs in the same over, including two fours and a six, giving Sri Lanka a strong start to the chase.
Pathum Nissanka was solid at the other end, opening his innings with a six over midwicket. He went on to score his first half-century against Bangladesh in T20Is, reaching 50 off 34 balls with six fours and a six, and completing 2,000 T20I runs in the process.
Nissanka and Mishara added 95 runs for the second wicket before Nissanka was caught by Shoriful off Mahedi Hasan. Mahedi Hasan then trapped Kusal Perera leg before wicket for his second, returning figures of 4-0-29-2. Sri Lanka lost a few wickets in quick succession, slipping from 108 for one to 126 for four, but Mishara and Charith Asalanka (10 not out) guided the side home.
Earlier, Shamim Hossain (42 not out) and Jaker Ali (41 not out) rescued Bangladesh from a precarious position of 54 for five, adding an unbeaten 86 runs for the sixth wicket to reach 139 for five.
Sri Lanka had begun the innings with two successive wicket-maidens, with seamers Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera exploiting the conditions early. Thushara bowled Tanzid Hasan Tamim (0) in the first over, and Chameera had Parvez Emon (0) caught behind in the second.
A highlight of the innings was Mishara’s direct-hit run out from deep square leg, dismissing Towhid Hridoy (8) well short of his crease in the fifth over. Bangladesh’s Litton Das (28) tried to take the attack to Sri Lanka, hitting three boundaries in the final over of the powerplay, but the chase remained largely one-way traffic in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Wanindu Hasaranga (2/25) continued the pressure built by the seamers, troubling the Bangladesh batsmen in the middle overs. Shamim and Jaker, however, did well to punish loose deliveries and rotate the strike, adding a vital partnership to save some pride for their side.
Sri Lanka’s clinical performance with both bat and ball sent a strong message for the rest of the tournament, while Bangladesh now face a must-win clash against Afghanistan if they are to progress to the next round.
– Ends
