After a precise display of all-around bowling, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Group B match at Pallekele on Thursday, August 31. The game also featured a composed partnership of 78 runs between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka.
Pathirana took the spotlight with his impressive four-wicket haul, but spinners Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dunith Wellalage also contributed, collectively securing four wickets. It highlighted the exceptional performance of the reigning champions from last year in the T20 format.
Despite encountering a few stumbling blocks while pursuing a subpar target, Sri Lanka overcame them. Sadeera’s 54 innings and Asalanka unbeaten 62 guided the Sri Lankan team to victory with five wickets and 39 overs to spare.
Bangladesh Early Setbacks
Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib-al-Hasan, decided to bat after winning the toss. However, this choice quickly proved detrimental as the opening batsmen, Tanzid Hasan, and Mohammad Naim, had a disappointing beginning. Eventually, both were dismissed within the initial powerplay period.
The pitch at Pallekele Stadium exhibited some carry and bounce. It prompted Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka to introduce the enigmatic spinner Maheesh Theekshana into the attack during the second over. Theekshana made an instant impact, securing the wicket of Hasan, who was trapped in front for a two-ball duck.
Although Naim managed to start his innings, part-time bowler Dhananjaya de Silva intervened during his fourth over. It caused Naim’s dismissal for 16 runs in the 8th over.
The situation worsened for Bangladesh as their skipper, Shakib, departed for just five runs in the 11th over. Matheesha Pathirana’s delivery induced an edge, which Kusal Mendis caught in a low left-handed grab.
By the end of the 11th over, Bangladesh was in a dire situation, reeling at a score of 36 for 3.
Bangladesh dealt with three setbacks in the early stages of the match. However, Najmul Shanto and Towhid Hridoy managed to stabilize the situation by putting together a partnership of 59 runs for the fourth wicket.
Skipper Shanaka dismantled the threatening partnership in the 24th over despite their efforts. It dismissed Hridoy with the assistance of a review. Following Hridoy’s departure, the Sri Lankan bowlers maintained pressure on the Bangladeshi batters, restricting their ability to score runs.
While Shanto held one end of the innings together, the lack of substantial support from the rest of the lineup became evident. Amid a regrettable run-out involving Mehidy Hasan, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals, leaving Shanto to wage a solitary battle.
Shanto’s Prominent Attempts
Shanto stood as a lone fighter for Bangladesh after the match resulted in only four batters reaching double-digit scores. They struggled to recover from the early setbacks.
Nevertheless, Shanto’s innings — comprising seven fours in his 122-ball stay — were overshadowed by the lackluster performance from the remaining batters. Throughout these innings, Bangladesh struggled to maintain a run rate above four runs per over. The frequent wickets fall also prevented them from gaining any substantial momentum.
As the match progressed, Shanto’s departure for 89 signaled a blow to Bangladesh’s aspirations of boosting their run rate in the final overs. Following his exit, Matheesha Pathirana swiftly dismantled the lower-order batters. It led to Bangladesh’s innings folding at a modest 164 runs in 42.4 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Eventual Victory
Defending a low total, Bangladesh needed early wickets and the pacers went full tilt from the word go. It removed the Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne inside the first four overs.
After Taskin Ahmed knocked Karunaratne for 1 in the third over, Shoriful Islam struck from the other end the following over as Nissanka edged one behind to Mushfiqur Rahim for 14. Skipper Shakib then cleaned up Kusal Mendis for 5 in the final over of the first Powerplay to give Sri Lanka early trouble in the chase.
Following a shaky beginning to the pursuit, Samarawickrama and Asalanka exhibited resilience for the Sri Lankan side. Initially halting the slide, the pair displayed precise and controlled handling of the Bangladeshi spinners. It steered the chase back on course.
Despite the pitch offering sharp bounce and occasional turn, Samarawickrama and Asalanka constructed a 78-run partnership. In the middle of this, Samarawickrama reached his fifty during the 24th over.
However, his dismissal occurred in the 30th over. It was followed closely by Shakib’s removal of de Silva as Bangladesh attempted to regain their footing in the match.
Asalanka, accompanied by the skipper, ensured no further harm was inflicted upon their innings. While Asalanka secured an unbeaten 62, Dasun Shanaka contributed 14 not out. He guided the Sri Lankans to victory with 66 balls remaining.
Betting on the Asia Cup
Amid the current cricket Asian Cup, viewers can bet on matches like the latest Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka match. When it comes to cricket betting, there are several for enthusiasts.
Match betting is one of the most straightforward forms of cricket betting. It involves placing a bet on the outcome of a specific match. Punters can bet on the team they believe will emerge victorious in the contest. The odds for each team reflect their perceived chances of winning, with the underdog offering higher potential returns.
Outright betting involves predicting the overall winner of the Asia Cup. Before the event, bettors can place their wagers on their chosen team. Doing so requires a broader understanding of team dynamics, form and potential matchups throughout the tournament.
Bettors also have the option to place wagers on who will be the highest run-scorer and wicket-taker in the tournament. This type of bet requires assessing player skills, form, and consistency.
Over/Under betting involves predicting whether the total runs scored in a match will surpass or fall short of a predetermined value. Punters must analyze team strengths, pitch conditions and other factors that could influence the run tally.
Prop bets, or proposition bets, enable bettors to wager on specific events within a cricket match. It includes the number of boundaries hit, the performance of a particular player or even the outcome of a specific delivery.
Live betting, also known as in-play betting, provides an interactive way for bettors to engage with the match as it unfolds. Punters can place bets on various outcomes during the game, adjusting their strategies based on real-time events.
Bettors can bet from reputable online platforms like Sportsbet.io. Click here to find further information about how to place your wager.
