Mirpur,28 February। Bangladesh produced a superb all-round performance to outclass Sri Lanka by 23 runs in their Twenty20 International clash of the Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Sunday.
Batting first, the hosts posted 147/7 in 20 overs, thanks to Sabbir Rahman's 54-ball 80. In reply, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and managed only 124/8 in 20 overs.
Al-Amin Hossain (3-34) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-21) were the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers.
Chasing a challenging target of 148, the defending World T20 champions didn't start well as they lost experienced batsman and opener Tillakaratne Dilshan (12) in the fourth over itself.
His opening partner Dinesh Chandimal (37) and incoming batsman Shehan Jayasuriya (26) held on to help team's score past the 70-run mark.
But Mahmudullah and Shakib claimed the wickets of Chandimal and Jayasuriya respectively in two successive overs to have them in trouble at 78/3 in 12th over.
From there on, no Sri Lankan batsmen were able to score as some tight bowling and wickets at regular intervals helped the hosts stun their opponent.
Earlier opting to bat, Bangladesh too struggled at the start losing both openers Mohammad Mithun and Soumya Sarkar inside three overs.
But incoming batsman Sabbir played a commendable innings striking three sixes and ten boundaries to help the hosts cross the 100-run mark. He was well supported in the other end by Shakib (32).
But with the wicket of both Sabbir and Shakib, Mahmudullah (23 not out) came in to notch up couple of boundaries to help team cross 145-run mark.
For Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera (3-30) was the pick of the bowlers.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 147/7 in 20 overs (Sabbir Rahman 54; Dushmantha Chameera 3-30) vs Sri Lanka 124/8 in 20 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 37; Al-Amin Hossain 3-34, Shakib Al Hasan 2-21)