Batting legend, Kumar Sangakkara showed his abundant class when he stroked another match winning century in the 2nd ODI to guide Sri Lanka to an unassailable 2-0 lead in their 3- match ODI series against Bangladesh today.
With the Test and T20 series won, Sri Lanka was looking to wrap up the ODIs series as well, having notched up a close 13 run win in the first game. Bangladesh was under tremendous pressure to do well after their agonizing defeat two days ago. Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to bat first on a belter of a pitch for batting. Sri Lanka lost both their openers before the end of 8th over as Rubel Hossain struck twice to remove Kusal Janith Perera and T.M Dilshan. Kumar Sangakkara stood head and shoulder above everyone else, stroking the ball perfectly, piercing the gaps and rotating the strike with ease. The struggling vice captain, Dinesh Chandimal could not get back to form as he too perished when the Sri Lankan score was on 63.
The experienced Sangakkara was then joined by the young gun, Ashan Priyanjan. Sangakkara used all his experience to guide through Priyanjan as the pair put on a well compiled 114 runs for the 4th wicket. Having appeared in 4 ODIs for his country, Priyanjan amassed his 2nd ODI half century before he was trapped by Shakib Al Hasan. Sangakkara stepped into the high gear alongside his captain Angelo Mathews when they bashed the Bangladesh bowling attack to all parts of the ground to score 83 runs for the 5th wicket in less than 10 overs.
Sri Lanka’s trail blazing Sangakkara notched up his 17th ODI century and went on to make 128 runs in only 115 balls with 14 exquisite boundaries. Angelo Mathews made the late surge as he blasted a 39- ball 56 to help his team post a commanding 289 for 6 wickets in 50 overs. Rubel Hossain leaked 76 runs in his 10 overs but captured three Sri Lankan wickets.
Chasing a daunting target of 290 to stay alive in the series, Bangladesh lost Shamsur Rehman in the first over where he was caught at slips by Sachithra Senanayake off a superb out swing delivery by Lasith Malinga. Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque were stitching a solid partnership together for the 2nd wicket before the latter fell to Sachithra Senanayake’s off spin as Sri Lanka took firm control of the game before Thisara Perera removed a well set Anamul Haque as the home team slipped to 63 for 3 in 14 overs.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was the lone warrior for Bangladesh as middle order wickets tumbled around him as Sri Lanka held on to their stranglehold over the home team. Rahim made a fighting 79 runs in 83 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes but his valiant innings was not enough for Bangladesh as Sri Lanka bowled out the hosts well within their target.
Chief Scorers:
Sri Lanka – 289/6 in 50 overs : Kumar Sangakkara 128, Ashan Priyanjan 60, Angelo Mathews 56*, Rubel Hossain 3/76.
Bangladesh – 228 all out in 43 overs : Mushfiqur Rahim 79, Anamul Haque 43, Shakib Al Hasan 24, Nasir Hossain 22, Lasith Malinga 2/45, Thisara Perera 2/40, Ajantha Mendis 2/43, Sachithra Senanayake 2/33.
