Former champions Sri Lanka made a commanding start to their Asia Cup campaign on Saturday, easing past Bangladesh by six wickets. Chasing 140, the islanders wrapped up the win with 32 balls to spare.
The innings was anchored by a scorching 95-run partnership between Pathum Nissanka (50) and Kamil Mishara off just 52 deliveries for the second wicket.
In the second over, Kusal Mendis stumbled, and Mishara reached the crease. After settling in, he quickly broke loose, smashing Shoriful Islam for three straight boundaries.
Before getting caught in the deep, Nissanka scored his sixteenth half-century. Sri Lanka had a good hold on the game by that point. A recent addition to the team, Mishara finished undefeated on 46 to help his team cross the finish line.
The Sri Lankan bowlers had earlier created the foundation for the victory by reducing Bangladesh to less than 139-5 from their 20 overs. Both openers were removed when Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara struck with the new ball, sending down two maidens. Bangladesh was 0/2 by the third over and never came back.
Mishara’s direct hit from deep square leg running out Towhid Hridoy furthered the damage, while Sri Lanka’s fielders contributed as well. Bangladesh was reeling at 53-5 at the interval as leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who had just returned from injury, stamped his class with 2/25.
Although Jaker Ali (41) and Shamim Hossain (42) put up a valiant, uninterrupted 86-run partnership for the sixth wicket, it was never enough to challenge Sri Lanka’s formidable batting lineup. Defending champions in the T20 format, Sri Lanka will now travel to Dubai on Monday to play Hong Kong.
“We knew that we had to just score seven runs an over and when I walked in Pathum asked me to take my time. Once the loose balls were on offer, I played a few shots. I have been working very hard on my game. Happy to have helped my country win a game,” Mishara said.
“This is not a 140 pitch. We should have scored much more than that. They put us under pressure during the Power Play and we never recovered. Our next game against Afghanistan is a must win clash. We will try our best,” Bangladesh captain Litton Das said.
