Bangladesh beats Sri Lanka by 137 run in the Asia Cup opener

Bangladesh cricket team started their Asia Cup campaign with an amazing 137-run win over Sri Lanka on Saturday (September 15) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Winning the toss, Bangladesh ODI skipper, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, decided to bat first. Tigers could manage to score 261 runs losing all wickets in 49.3 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim played his career best innings of 150-ball 144, including 11 fours and 4 sixes. It was his sixth ODI century. However, on his way to scoring ODI hundred, he got two lives on 10 and 85. He along with Mohammad Mithun shared a 131-run partnership for the third-wicket stand. Mohammad Mithun scored his maiden ODI fifty. He scored 63 from 68 balls. 

Despite Mushfiqur scoring century, Tamim Iqbal got the maximum media publicity. Photos and videos of this southpaw batting with one hand spread across the social media. His wrist was hit by a delivery from Suranga Lakmal, forcing him to retire hurt. After the departure of Mustafizur in the 47^th over, he came to bat with one hand, allowing Mushfiqur to score as many runs as possible and make his highest ODI score before he was caught on the boundary with three balls left in the innings. He scored 2 runs facing four balls and remained unbeaten.

Lasith Malinga finished with an impressive bowling figure of 4-23 in 10 overs. With this match, the 35-year-old fast bowler made his return to ODI cricket from retirement. He played his last ODI in September last year. Suranga Lakmal, Amila Aponso and Thisara Perera took one wicket each.

In reply, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 124 in 35.2 overs, Dilruwan Perera top scoring with 29 runs. Apart from him, two other players reached 20 for Angelo Mathews’ side. It was Bangladesh’s seventh win in 45 ODI matches against Sri Lanka.

For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two wickets apiece while Shakib Al Hasan, Rubel Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain equally shared three wickets.

Scorecard link- http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8532/scorecard/1153243/bangladesh-vs-sri-lanka-1st-match-group-b-asia-cup-2018-19

Source- https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/cricket/2018/09/15/bangladesh-to-bat-first-against-sri-lanka-in-asia-cup-opener

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/45536128