Following his side’s five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener, Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan said that the wicket was not suitable to score 300 runs, but rather 220-230 runs, a total which would have given his side a better chance. Half-centuries by Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama guided Sri Lanka to a hard-fought five-wicket win over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener at Kandy on Thursday.
“It was not a 300 wicket. 220-230 would have given us a better chance. Did not bat well as a unit. We have to regroup, have another important game in a couple of days. We needed a couple more wickets when they were 3 down for 30 (3/43). We picked up wickets but did not have enough on the board. There were a lot of nerves when we started the game. A lot of guys playing Asia Cup 2023 for the first time. They have been playing good cricket that is why they are in the dressing room,” said Shakib in the post-match presentation.
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Electing to bat first, Bangladesh sunk to 36/3 in 10.4 overs. A 59-run partnership between Najmul Shanto and Towhid Hridoy helped Bangladesh gain temporary relief.
However, the game changed after Matheesha Pathirana dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, reducing Bangladesh to 127/5. From then on, nobody except Shanto (89 in 122 balls, with seven fours) put up a fight and Bangladesh was bundled out for 164 in 42.4 overs.
Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers for SL, taking 4/32 in 7.4 overs. Maheesh Theekshana took 2/19 in his eight overs. Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalege, and skipper Dasun Shanaka took a wicket each. In the case of 165, SL lost two quick wickets in the form of their openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka and were reduced to 15/2. After a brief partnership between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, SL was given another jolt as Mendis was dismissed by Shakib. SL was 43/3.
Then a 78-run stand between Sadeera (54 in 77 balls with six fours) and Charith Asalanka helped SL to three figures and brought them to the brink of a win. Two more wickets put the defending champions under a slight threat, but Asalanka (62* in 92 balls, with five fours and a six) and Shanaka (14*) guided them to a five-wicket win.
Shakib al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/29 in his 10 overs. Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mehadi Hasan took a wicket each.
Pathirana bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his match-winning spell.
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