Asia Cup: Dilshan sparkles in Sri Lanka's victory

Published>Fri, Jun 18 10 11:27 PM

Dambulla, June 18 (IANS) Tillakaratne Dilshan produced an all-round performance as Sri Lanka crushed Bangladesh by 126 runs in the Asia Cup cricket tournament here Friday.

Deciding to bat, Sri Lanka racked up 312 runs for the loss of only four wickets before bundling out Bangladesh for 186 runs in 40.2 overs.

It was Sri Lanka's second win in the tournament after narrowly beating Pakistan by 16 runs in their opening encounter.

Sri Lanka dominated the game right from the start. Dilshan, who smashed 71 off 51 balls with the help of 11 fours and one six, came back to take three Bangladesh wickets with his off-spin, dealing crucial blows to the top and middle order.

Lasith Malinga (2-35), Muttiah Muralitharan (2-38) and Chanaka Welegedera (2-31) never allowed Bangaldeshi batsmen to settle in, taking wickets at regular intervals. Opener Tamim Iqbal was the only Bangladesh batsman to put up a fight with a 53-ball 51 that included five fours and a six.

Earlier, Sri Lankan openers Tillakaratne and Upul Tharanga (54) gave Sri Lanka an explosive start scoring 111 runs in 15.5 overs to lay the foundation of a big total.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara (52) and Mahela Jayawardene (43), Angelo Mathews (42 not out) and Chamara Kapugedera (37 not out) chipped in with useful contributions.

The pedestrian Bangladesh attack had no answers to the Sri Lankan batting powerhouse.

Dilshan and Tharanga came hard on pacers Mashrafe Mortaza and Syed Rasel and skipper Shakib Al Hasan was quick to bring himself and fast bowler Shafiul Islam (2-59).

The duo, however, scored unrestrained and brought up 100 in 12th over.

Bangladesh got the breakthrough when Dilshan offered a return catch to Shakib.

Tharanga and Sangakkara then added 44 runs before the former fell to off-spinner Mahmudullah.

Sangakkara and Jayawerdene batted through the middle overs and consolidated their position. They shared a 69-run stand for the third wicket before Jayawerdene was caught at cover-point by Shakib off Shaiful.

Shakib also got the wicket of Sangakkara as Sri Lanka reached 239 for four in 39.3 overs.

It was left for Mathews and Kapugedera to give the late charge. The two scored at a brisk pace adding an unbeaten 73 runs.

Source: Web Search