Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka score 257 runs in the 1st innings

After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bowl first in the second Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2023. The pitch was bowler-friendly, Dominic Cork in his pitch report suggested that the pitch would help both fast bowlers and spin bowlers. Sri Lanka captain, Dasun Shanaka at the toss believed that the bowlers could further be assisted under the lights in the second innings. Sri Lanka scored 257 runs in the first innings. Here is a review of the first innings.

Sri Lanka starts positively

Despite losing a wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne early inside the 6th over, Sri Lanka had a positive start. At the end of the first powerplay, Sri Lanka had scored 51 runs. Hasan Mahmud took the first wicket. After being hit for two consecutive fours, Mahmud finally got his man as Karunaratne edged the ball to Mushfiqur Rahim. Pathum Nissanka struggled a lot in his innings but still scored a crucial knock of 40 runs in 60 balls. The batters took a careful approach on a bowler-friendly pitch.

Fast bowlers get Bangladesh back into the game

Sri Lanka was cruising at 108 for the loss of just one wicket and then Shoriful Islam was brought in by Shakib Al Hasan for his second spell. After an expensive 12 run over in his first over of the new spell, Shoriful struck in his following over. He dismissed Nissanka LBW after a scratchy knock of 40 runs in 60 balls. Kusal Mendis after being dropped by Mohammad Naim off Shoriful’s bowling reached his half-century. In the very same over he reached his half-century, he was dismissed by Shoriful after playing a ram shot straight to the third man fielder. 

Charith Asalanka who started his innings with a four on the first ball he faced could not get going despite facing 23 deliveries and was dismissed for just 10 runs by Taskin Ahmed after playing a nothing shot to Shakib at mid-on. Dhananjya de Silva was the next batter to be dismissed after scoring just six runs. Hasan Mahmud once again produced a delivery which caught the edge. Dhananjya was trying to punch the back of a length delivery but only managed to edge it to Mushfiqur.

Sadeera Samarawickrama unfazed by regular wickets

Amidst all the wickets falling at the other end, Sadeera Samarawickrama kept his cool and scored a crucial knock of 93 runs off just 72 balls. He reached his half-century in just 45 deliveries. Samarawickrama played with a balance of discipline and modern technique. Five of his fours came behind the wicket and his first maximum too came behind the wicket. He shared a half-century stand with skipper, Shanaka before the latter was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud.