In the opening clash of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, defeating Bangladesh by a margin of 21 runs at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. The contest unfolded as Sri Lanka set a target of 258 runs for Bangladesh to chase down.
The Bengal Tigers started their chase strong, but Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka disrupted their momentum by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had scored 28 runs. Bangladesh struggled to recover, losing their batsmen frequently and facing difficulty reaching their target. However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy formed a partnership of 72 runs, providing relief for the team. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain when Rahim was dismissed by Shanaka after scoring 29 runs.
Hridoy emerged as the top scorer for Bangladesh with a resilient innings of 82 runs off 97 deliveries. Despite his heroic efforts, the momentum swung back in Sri Lanka’s favor when Maheesh Theekshana claimed Hridoy’s wicket. As a result, Bangladesh’s innings concluded with a total of 236 runs in 48.1 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack played a crucial role in their triumph, with Maheesh Theekshana and Dasun Shanaka both securing three wickets each, while Matheesha Pathirana bagged two wickets.
In the first innings, Sri Lanka had posted a competitive total of 257 runs, thanks in large part to Sadeera Samarawickrama’s exceptional batting performance. Samarawickrama emerged as the top scorer for the home side, amassing an impressive 93 runs from just 72 balls. His innings featured eight boundaries and two maximums.
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Overall, it was a thrilling encounter that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Sri Lanka ultimately emerging as the victors in this closely contested Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2023.
