The Super Four match between Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh took place on September 9 at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This was a crucial game for both sides, as the winner would keep their hopes alive through reaching the final, while the loser would be knocked out of the tournament.
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first, hoping to put pressure on Bangladesh’s fragile batting line-up.
Sri Lanka got off to a good start, as openers Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 57 runs for the first wicket. Fernando scored a quick-fire 36 off 28 balls, while Samarawickrama continued his good form with a brilliant 93 off 72 balls.
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He hit nine fours and four sixes in his innings and shared a 94-run stand with Asalanka for the second wicket.
Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh: Sri Lanka holds their nerve
Sri Lanka looked set for a big score, but Bangladesh fought back with some disciplined bowling in the middle overs. They picked up regular wickets and kept the run rate in check.
Asalanka made a patient 42 off 60 balls, but no other batsman could cross 20 runs. Sri Lanka finished with 257 for 9 in their 50 overs. For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three wickets each.
Bangladesh’s chase got off to a shaky start, as they lost opener Liton Das for a duck in the first over.
However, Mohammad Naim and Shakib Al Hasan rebuilt the innings with a 79-run partnership for the second wicket. Naim scored a composed 46 off 63 balls, while Shakib played an aggressive knock of 64 off 54 balls.
He hit seven fours and two sixes in his innings and became the highest run-scorer in Asia Cup history.
Bangladesh looked well on course for victory when they reached 150 for 2 in the 28th over. However, Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka turned the game around with his clever bowling changes and field placements
. He brought back his pacers Pathirana and Fernando, who broke the partnership by dismissing Naim and Shakib in quick succession.
Bangladesh’s middle order collapsed under pressure, as they lost six wickets for 49 runs.
Samarawickrama was adjudged the player of the match for his superb knock that set up Sri Lanka’s win. Sri Lanka kept their hopes of reaching the final alive, while Bangladesh were eliminated from the tournament.
Conclusion: Sri Lanka shows their class
Sri Lanka showed their class and experience in both matches against Bangladesh, winning them convincingly. They proved that they are a force to reckon with in the Asia Cup 2023, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
They will face India in their next Super Four match, which will be a virtual semi-final. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will have to go back to the drawing board and work on their batting and bowling issues. They will play their last match against Afghanistan, which will be a dead rubber.
