Charith Asalanka struck a fighting century to help Sri Lanka post a competitive 244 all out in the first One-Day International against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in early strife at 29 for three, but Asalanka stood tall amid the ruins with a captain’s knock that held the innings together as wickets tumbled at the other end.
The left-hander, ranked eighth among ODI batters globally, once again showcased his reputation as Sri Lanka’s crisis man in white-ball cricket, compiling a composed hundred on a surface offering early seam movement.
Asalanka stitched together two crucial stands — first, a 60-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, and then a 64-run stand with Janith Liyanage — to steer the hosts out of trouble. But with partnerships just beginning to bloom, both Mendis and Liyanage threw their wickets away, undoing some of the hard yards.
Mendis was trapped leg-before by debutant left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, while Liyanage perished trying to go big against part-timer Najmul Hossain Shanto, holing out to long-on in what proved to be a turning point.
Bangladesh’s plans were momentarily thrown off when veteran seamer Mustafizur Rahman hobbled off with what looked like a pulled muscle after sending down just six overs. Bangladesh were a bowler short and were forced to rely on Shanto, but Sri Lanka couldn’t capitalise as they lost wickets in clusters.
Asalanka brought up his hundred — his fourth at this ground — with a scampered single to short cover, joining an elite club of centurions at the Premadasa that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Sanath Jayasuriya.
The skipper eventually fell in the final over, caught on the boundary while looking to clear the ropes in search of quick runs.
Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four wickets for 47, including two maidens, in a probing spell that kept Sri Lanka’s scoring in check.
Sri Lanka were bowled out with four balls remaining, leaving Bangladesh a target of 245 to chase under lights.
from The Island https://ift.tt/hCMgm5d
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