In a game, that became heated following Angelo
Mathews’s ‘timed out’ dismissal, Sri Lanka put up a challenging 279 before
being all out in 49.3 overs against Bangladesh at Arun Jaitley Stadium in
Delhi today.
Charith Asalanka guided the side with his second ton, a 105 ball-108, laced
with six fours and five sixes.
But his century was put into shed when Mathews became the first batter in
International cricket to be dismissed ‘timed out’. He took the time more than
two minutes to be at the crease because of the broken strap of his helmet.
According to ICC playing conditions, opposition captain could appeal for
dismissal if a batter takes more than two minutes to be at the crease. Sharp-
minded Shakib Al Hasan took the advantage to dismiss Mathews, much to the
despair of the Lankan fans.
Opener Pathum Nissanka made next-best 41 while Dhananjaya de Silva scored 34.
Nissanka kept the side rolling after the dismissal of Kusal Perera (4) for
single digit figure by pacer Shoriful Islam. Shakib who took 2-57, then got
into act with the wicket of Kusal Mendis who made 19.
Sri Lanka got further setback when Tanzim Hasan Sakib who made his World Cup
debut, got the better of Nissanka, leaving them at 72-3.
Asalanka took the onus and got an able support from Sadeera Samawickrama.
Shakib returned and broke the dangerous partnership after they added 63 runs
for the fourth wicket. Mathews was ‘timed out’ thereafter and Sri Lanka were
at tricky 135-5.
As Bangladesh sensed a chance to bowl Sri Lankan out cheaply, Asalanka again
resisted with the support from Dhananjaya. Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke through
after they shared 68-run for the sixth wicket.
Asalanka drove the side past 250 and got out in the penultimate over by
Tanzim Sakib who took three wickets on debut but was expensive as he conceded
80 runs in his 10 overs.
