New Delhi: Charith Asalanka's century went in vain as Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets in an inconsequential match of the World Cup here on Monday. Asked to bat, Asalanka scored a 105-ball 108, while opener Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama made identical scores of 41 runs each to help Sri Lanka post 279 all out in 49.3.
Bangladesh scored the required runs in 41.1 overs for the loss of seven wickets. The Sri Lankan innings was marred by an incident where Angelo Mathews became the first international cricketer to be 'timed out' after not being ready to face the ball within two minutes of the fall of a wicket.
Later, Najmul Hossain Shanto (90) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (82) shared 169 runs for the third wicket to lay the foundation for the win, reaching 282 for 7 in 41.1 overs. Dilshan Madushanka (3/69) was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, while Angelo Mathews (2/35) returned with two wickets, including the scalp of Shakib.
Earlier, despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Sri Lanka managed a competitive 279 all out thanks to Charith Assalanka's valiant century. Both teams are out of the World Cup 2023 after a pretty ordinary show in the league matches so far.
Sri Lanka lost opener Kusal Perera in the first over itself for his individual score of four. But another opener Pathum Nissanka (41) and captain Kusal Mendis (19) kept the scoreboard ticking and added 61 runs for the second wicket before Mendis was dismissed. Nissanka played an aggressive innings that came off 36 balls with the help of eight boundaries.
The Lankan middle order provided stability to the innings with Sadeera Samarawickrama (41) and Asalanka (108) firing on all cylinders. Asalanka hit six boundaries and five hits over the fences during his 105-ball stay at the crease. But the Lankan will go with a bad taste in their mouth after veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews became the first player in international cricket to be adjudged 'Timed Out' after his helmet strap tore soon after coming into the crease at the fall of Samarawickrama's wicket.
While Mathews was seeking another helmet, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed for Time out and the umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth after having a word with the batter adjudged him Timed out. Mathews tried to explain his position but Shakib and Bangladesh didn't withdraw their appeal. Shakib Al Hasan and Shoriful Islam picked up two wickets apiece for Bangladesh but failed to restrict the Lankans to a low score.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 279 in 49.3 overs (Charith Asalanka 108, Pathum Nissanka 41, Sadeera Samarawickrama 41; Tanzim Sakib 3/80, Shakib Al Hasan 2/57, Shoriful Islam 2/51) lost to Bangladesh 282 for 7 in 41.1 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 90, Shakib Al Hasan 82; Dilshan Madushanka 3/69).
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