Sri Lanka registered a 10-wicket victory over hosts Bangladesh to romp into the Tri-series final in Mirpur. After winning the toss and batting first, Bangladesh managed just 82 as the Sri Lankans ran through their batting line-up.
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Making his way into the team for his 1st game of the tournament, Danushka Gunathilake made an impact straightaway with his fielding as he ran danger-man Shakib Al-Hasan out before taking a sensational diving catch at backward point to send Tamim Iqbal back into the pavilion.
The chaos, however, began with the dismissal of Anamul Haque in the third over as he played a Suranga Lakmal delivery on to his stumps. Bangladesh would perhaps have been unperturbed with two of their best two batsmen at the crease however, Gunathilake’s brilliance and some accurate bowling from Lakmal saw both Tamim and Shakib back in the hut.
Mahmudullah was also done in by a short delivery as Bangladesh slumped to 34/4 in just over 10 overs. Sri Lanka lost a review and Dickwella put down a regulation chance behind the stumps but they were not made to pay as some good bowling from Thisara Perera, Dushmantha Chameera and Lakshan Sandakan accounted for the rest of the wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim was the onlu man to put up a semblance of a fight, making 26 however, he fell playing an ambitious shot as Bangladesh’s frail middle order was exposed.
Having dismissed Bangladesh for a total of 82, Sri Lanka needed just 19 runs to secure their place in the final via net run-rate. They did so in quick time with both Gunathilaka and opening partner Upul Tharanga looking to take on the bowling and from that point on Bangladesh never looked in with a chance.
Sri Lanka came into the game as underdogs but ultimately managed their biggest win in terms of deliveries remaining against Bangladesh.
The final will be at the same venue on the 27th of January, Saturday.
Scorecard
