Asalanka, Rajapksa help SL to beat Tigers

Fifties from Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa helped Sri Lanka to beat the Tigers in their first match of Super 12s at Sharjah on Sunday.

Though Shakib’s double strike in the same over brings Bangladesh back into the game, two crucial dropped catches by Liton Das guide Sri Lanka to the win.

The captaincy of Mahmudullah was questionable as he picked two part-time bowlers, including him, to bowl in the crucial moment of the match.

Besides, the 22-run over by Saifuddin was another reason behind the defeat. Saifuddin conceded 38 runs in his 3 overs.

Chasing a mammoth total of 172, Sri Lanka lost an early wicket as Nasum Ahmed removed Kusal Perera in the very first over.

Both Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum picked up two wickets for each, but it was not good enough to guide the team to win the match.

Earlier, Bangladesh scored 171-4 with the help of fifties from Mohammad Naim’s 62 off 52 and Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 57 off just 37.

For Sri Lanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando and Lahiru Kumara picked up one wicket for each.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, earlier, won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat first at Sharjah.

ARR