Asia Cup 2023—Pathirana and Asalanka Shine for Sri Lanka, Beat Bangladesh By 5 Wickets

Pic Credit: AFP

Charith Asalanka and Samarawickrama Score Half-centuries

Colombo, 31 August: Sri Lanka registered a thumping win against the tentative-looking Bangladesh side by five wickets in a match played in Pallekele on Thursday in the ongoing Asia Cup tournament. Charith Asalanka scored a match-winning 62* while player of the match Matheesha Pathirana claimed a four-fer.

In pursuit of a paltry 165-run target from 50 overs, Sri Lanka lost their both openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka cheaply but Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka scored brilliant half-centuries to ensure calm in the Lankan dugout.

Sri Lanka won the match comfortably in 39 overs, with 11 overs to spare.

Earlier, Bangladesh elected to bat first after calling the coin correctly but couldn’t capitalize as they lost their top three wickets with the scoreboard reading 36 in the 11th over. Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan, and skipper Shakib Al Hasan fell cheaply. However, Najmul Shanto made 89 runs from 122 balls to lend some respectability to the total. Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim also failed to make a significant contribution.

For Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana (32/4) claimed four wickets and spinner Maheesh Theekshana (19/2) took two wickets.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets as well.