In the first match of the three-match ODI series, hosts Sri Lanka have set a target of 245 runs for Bangladesh. Batting first at the Premadasa Stadium, the Lankans were all out for 244 runs in 49.2 overs.
Bangladesh are now dreaming of victory after bowling out the Sri Lankan team for 244 runs in 49.2 overs.
On Wednesday, at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets for just 29 runs after electing to bat first. Then captain Charith Asalanka took charge of the innings. Thanks to his century, Sri Lanka managed to post a total of 244 runs. Asalanka alone scored 106 runs for the team. Kusal Mendis contributed 45 runs, Janith Liyanage scored 29, Milan Rathnayake added 22, and Wanindu Hasaranga also made 22 runs.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took 4 wickets for 47 runs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed 3 wickets for 46 runs.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. On the first ball of the fourth over, Pathum Nissanka was dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Soon after, Taskin Ahmed struck twice in two consecutive overs. In the fifth over’s third ball and the seventh over’s first ball, he dismissed Nisshan Madushka and Kamindu Mendis.
At 6.1 overs, Sri Lanka were under pressure with just 29 runs for 3 wickets. Then, captain Asalanka steadied the innings. He built a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Kusal Mendis. Mendis was dismissed after scoring 45 runs off 43 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six.
Next, Asalanka added a 64-run partnership off 76 balls with Janith Liyanage. He also formed partnerships of 39 and 34 runs with Milan Rathnayake and Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth and seventh wickets respectively, taking the team close to the 250-run mark.
Asalanka came to bat in the fifth over’s third ball and was finally dismissed on the first ball of the last over. Before that, he played a remarkable innings of 106 runs off 123 balls, which included 6 fours and 4 sixes. This was his fifth century in ODI cricket, and his second against Bangladesh.
