Dhaka, January 4, 2010. (Crickettomorrow.com)Sri Lanka 261 for 3 (Dilshan 104, Sangakara 74) beat Bangladesh 260 for 7 (Ashraful 75, Mahmudullah 45) by seven wickets
Yet another Sparkling century of Dangerous Dilshan , dew and below par bowling put paid to Bangladesh efforts. SriLanka cruised to easy victory by 7 wickets in the first match of the Tri-nation ODI at Shere Bangla stadium Dhaka. A matured innings by talented Ashrfaul 75 and two cameos by Mahamudullah 45 and Naeem 22 (9balls) helped tigers to post an impressive 260/7. But it became all too easy for Lankans when Dilshan blasted another strokeful century to SriLankan chase easy and smooth. Sangakara also scored a masterful 74 as the match winning second wicket stand 148. True dew caused some problem. But Bangladesh never looked in the hunt after the rookie new ball bowler leaked 10 runs in the very first over.
Earlier Sangakara won the toss and put Bangladesh to bat for taking the dew advantage. Tiger openers made brisk start putting on 65 good looking runs in 12.5 overs. But a mini collapse at this stage caused Bangladesh dear. Tamim, Roquibul and Saquibul came and went within the space of 4 overs adding only 9 runs. It was poor batting .There was no venom in the wicket excepting some steep bounce. Bangladesh was put in the back foot from this point on. A good start was muddled up. However Musfiqur Rahim and Ashraful did the resurrection act. But the tempo and momentum was lost in the rebuilding process. Ashraful had to curb his instinct to anchor the innings. Mushfique left after a well compiled 35. Ashraful continued to defy Lankans. Mahamadullah played a strokeful innings of 45 in 47 deliveries. The 6th wicket pair added valuable 95 runs. Ashraful put his push on the paddle at a crucial stage. His 75 guided Bangladesh innings. But it was a brilliant cameo of Naeem Islam 22 runs in 9 deliveries which made Bangladesh score look healthy 260/7.But considering the presence of dazzling Dilshan in the SriLankan camp and the dew factor Bangladesh effort appeared at least 30 runs short in all counts.
The inadequacy of Bangladesh new ball attack was evidenced right from the start of the Lankans chase. Tharanga and Dilshan started the leather g hunt where they left off in the recent ODI series against India. Tharanga lost his cool and in effort to chase a delivery of Rebel angling across him nicked to Wicket keeper .By that time in the 4th over 35 runs was knocked off. Sangakara joined Dilshan. This world class inform pair started toying with Bangladesh bowling. Sangakara played several delightful eye pleasing drives on the offside. Dilshan could care less hitting in the air over the top and floating over mid wicket with brute force. In the process, he went past 4000 runs in ODIs.
Shakib had no clue. He brought himself in the attack as early as 6th over By then 52 runs were leaked .Spinners Razzak, Saquib and Mahmuddullah struggled to grip the dew soaked wet ball. Bangladesh main strength spin attack was handicapped by dew.
Credit must not be taken away from brilliant Sri Lankan batting. By 21st over Sangakara and Dilshan both cruised to half centuries.