Sri Lanka emerged victorious against Bangladesh, led by Shakib-al-Hasan, in the Asia Cup’s second Super Four match, securing a 21-run win at Colombo’s R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. Shakib-al-Hasan, having won the toss and opted to bowl first, faced a resilient Sri Lankan team that posted a total of 257-9 in their allotted 50 overs. In response, Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 236 runs in 48.1 overs, sealing the victory.
With this win, Sri Lanka has surpassed South Africa (12) and Pakistan (12) to become the second team to record the most consecutive wins (13)* in ODIs, following Australia’s record of 21. Moreover, Sri Lanka has dismissed their opponents out to ten in 13* consecutive ODI innings, the most by any team, with no other team achieving this feat in more than ten consecutive games. Furthermore, with this victory, Sri Lanka has now beaten Bangladesh 13 times in 15 matches in the ODI Asia Cup, the most by any team against a single opponent.
Top Performers of the Match
Sadeera Samarawickrama was the standout performer of the match, earning the Player of the Match award for his brilliant 93 runs off 72 balls, featuring 8 fours and 2 sixes, at a strike rate of 129.17. His innings played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s competitive total. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis also made a significant contribution with his 24th ODI fifty, scoring 50 runs from 73 balls, including 6 fours and 1 six.
Sri Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka played a crucial role, taking three crucial wickets in the form of both Bangladesh openers, Mohammad Naim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, along with Mushfiqur Rahim. Shanaka’s figures were impressive, with 3 wickets for 28 runs in his 9 overs. Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana also shone with the ball, both securing three wickets each.
In the run chase, only Towhid Hridoy made a significant impact in Bangladesh’s batting lineup with his impressive 82-run knock off 97 balls, featuring 7 fours and 1 six. In Bangladesh’s bowling department, Taskin Ahmed managed to secure 3 crucial wickets, dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, and Maheesh Theekshana, while conceding 62 runs in his 10 overs. Hasan Mahmud also contributed with 3 wickets, accounting for the dismissals of Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dasun Shanaka, giving away 57 runs in his 9 overs.
Bangladesh on the Cusp of Elimination from the Asia Cup
With this loss, Bangladesh faces a grim scenario in the Asia Cup 2023. They have now lost all 12 ODIs they have played at the Colombo-RPS stadium and are perilously close to elimination from the tournament. Having suffered defeats against Pakistan in the first Super Four match and now Sri Lanka, their chances of reaching the final look bleak. Bangladesh’s last Super Four match is against India on September 15th, while Sri Lanka still has two matches left, one against India on September 12th and another against Pakistan on September 14th.
Our Top Four Didn’t Get Enough Runs – Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib-al-Hasan felt winning the toss was good, but Bangladesh’s bowling wasn’t up to par. Shakib-al-Hasan credited Sri Lanka’s performance, praised Hridoy’s batting, and mentioned the need for a bigger partnership. Despite concerns about the seamers’ expensive bowling, Shakib-al-Hasan acknowledged they took wickets. Bangladesh skipper Shakib-al-Hasan reckoned that Sri Lanka ultimately played better and won.
“Well, I thought it was a good toss to win at the start. We didn’t bowl particularly well. There was help for the bowler, but we didn’t get the wickets, but credit goes to Sri Lanka. We came back really strong, but then Sadeera played very well. We needed an 80-100 run partnership to chase this. Our top four didn’t get enough runs, and we didn’t bowl well at the start,” said Shakib-al-Hasan.
“He batted really well. He played LPL here, so he brought that confidence. He played really well. If he could have batted a little longer, but then there are always a lot of ifs and buts. But Sri Lanka played better, which is why they won. Seamers were a little on the expensive side, but they also picked up all the wickets, so you cannot complain,” he added.