Bangladesh beats SL by 90 runs in ODI series opener

26 March 2017 06:15 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka by 90 runs in their first of three one-day internationals, riding on a rampant batting performance led by opener Tamim Iqbal's eighth century on Saturday.

Asked to bat first after winning the toss at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, Bangladesh scored a challenging 324-5, its third highest ODI total ever.

Iqbal top-scored with 127 and was well supported by Shakib Al Hasan (72), and Sabbir Rahman (54).

In reply, Sri Lanka never threatened to chase down the total, and was bowled out for 234 in the 46th over.

After only its second ODI win in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh could clinch a first series win there on Tuesday in the second ODI at the same ground.

"That was almost a perfect game for us," Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said.

He said the lineup was probably the best ever fielded by Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga regretted asking Bangladesh to bat first after winning the toss.

"We bowled bad, and in the field we gave away 20 to 30 runs extra," Tharanga said. The lack of partnerships was also costly, he added.

Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with 59, and Thisara Perera showed glimpses of fight late in the innings with an aggressive 55.

Seam bowler Mustafizur Rahman too three wickets for Bangladesh.Iqbal hit a six and 15 boundaries during his 142-ball knock of 127. He added 90 runs for the second wicket with Rahman, who made 54 off 56 deliveries. Rahman hit 10 boundaries before Tharanga took a sharp catch at extra cover off seamer Asela Gunaratne.

Bangladesh quickly lost another wicket for 120-3 but Iqbal and Shakib reacted by combining for the best partnership of the innings: 144 runs for the fourth. Shakib made 72 off 71 balls including a six and four boundaries.

Bangladesh got some much-needed acceleration in the final overs from Mosaddek Hossain and Mahmudullah Riyad. Bangladesh scored 68 runs off the last five overs as the Sri Lanka bowlers struggled with their direction, combined with sloppy fielding.

Comments - 6

WISE DONKEY Sunday, 26 March 2017 08:05 AM

It was real humiliation but I consoled myself that Bangladesh was coached by a Sri Lankan the wise all rounder Chandika Hathurusingha. Well done.

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Kadiya Sunday, 26 March 2017 08:50 AM

Congratulations to Bangladesh. They deserve to win the whole series for they are that good. We do not need foreign coaches; a few more matches with these little guys will be more educative!!!

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Ordinary Sunday, 26 March 2017 10:35 AM

Sri Lanka will win a match here and there due to some individual performances like Asela's knock against the Aussies. The future is full of defeats like this if the if the management and their inside politics from top to bottom in Sri Lanka Cricket does not change and would allow the cricketers to do their job. Politicians have destroyed this wonderful sport. It is so sad to see talented Sri Lankans coaches on the other side of the dugouts/ dressing rooms.

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alfred Sunday, 26 March 2017 11:04 AM

Why does Upul Tharanga always choose to field whenever he wins the toss. He regrets it every time afterwards. Did the same when in South Africa also on a good batting wicket. Really appalling to say the least. It would rather be better to have someone else captaining for he is not performing well either. It's a terrible feeling when we could have reversed the result with a big total to give score board pressure on Bangladesh instead.

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KaluSudha Sunday, 26 March 2017 11:55 PM

Win or Lose, We are paid in USD!!!So Who Cares!!!!!""SL Cricketers""

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JAN Monday, 27 March 2017 09:08 AM

UT has not taken correct decisions at once to Bat first and very poor performance SL team well done Bangaladesh via DM Android App

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