Easy win for Sri Lanka in tri-series opener
Sri Lanka made short work of the target of 261 set by hosts Bangladesh to win by seven wickets the opening match of the ODI tri-series also involving India at Mirpur, Dhaka on January 4. The Sri Lankans achieved the target in 44.5 overs to finally finish with 261 for 3.
Sri Lanka never looked never in any trouble whatsoever in making the decent target look easy. Although Upul Tharanga missed out to be dismissed cheaply for 14, the other two in-form batsmen – Tilakaratne Dilshan and skipper Kumar Sangakkara – continued from where they had left off in India. While Dilshan, who had to use a runner at the later stages after suffering a groin injury, completed his sixth ODI hundred to score 104, Sangakkara departed after scoring 74. The two added 148 for the second wicket. With the asking rate well under control, Thilan Samaraweera (41 not out) calmly guided the team to victory with more than five overs to spare. That the dew factor will play a major role in the series was evident from the difficulties the Bangladesh spinners faced in gripping the ball.
Earlier, asked to bat first, Bangladesh put up a respectable 260 for 7. Former skipper Mohammad Ashraful scored 75 in an innings that had the necessary blend of caution and aggression. Mahmuddulah gave him admirable support to make 45. Other useful contributors were opener Tamim Iqbal (40) and Mushfiqur Rahim (35). For Sri Lanka, Suraj Randiv and Suranga Lakmal claimed two wickets apiece for 51 and 63 respectively.
Dilshan was named Man of the Match.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 260 for 7 (Ashraful 75, Mahmudullah 45, Tamim 40; Randiv 2/51, Lakmal 2/63); Sri Lanka 261 for 3 (Dilshan 104, Sangakkara 74, Samaraweera 41*). Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets.
