Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed 93 to set up a 21-run win for Sri Lanka in their opening Super Four clash of the Asia Cup against Bangladesh on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Samarawickrama's knock steered Sri Lanka to 257-9, a total their bowlers defended to put Bangladesh on the brink of elimination in the 50-over tournament, a precursor to the upcoming World Cup in India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh were bowled out for 236 in 48.1 overs despite a valiant 82 by Towhid Hridoy and suffered their second loss in the Super Four stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With one match to go, Bangladesh need a mathematical miracle for a place in the final on September 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dasun Shanaka, who turned 32 on Saturday, played a captain's role with his 24 and three wickets from his medium-pace bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spinner Maheesh Theekshana and fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana also took three wickets each.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka, who co-host the tournament with Pakistan, faltered after being invited to bat first with Bangladesh fast bowlers getting regular breakthroughs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Kusal Mendis (50) and then Samarawickrama made sure they reach a competitive and eventually a winning total on an inconsistent pitch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Samarawickrama reached his 50 in 45 balls and accelerated in a 60-run partnership with Shanaka to rouse the home fans at a largely empty ground.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka slipped after a brisk start before Pathum Nissanka and Mendis put on 74 runs with some sensible batting, forcing Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan to rotate his bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shoriful Islam was brought into the attack and he delivered with the wicket of Nissanka, trapped lbw for 40.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mendis reached his fifty with a boundary off Shoriful in the next over but the fast bowler had his revenge four balls later to have him caught out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The bowlers kept up the charge, but Samarawickrama turned the tide with a string of boundaries and finished off well as he surpassed his previous ODI best of 82. He was dismissed on the final ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh started strongly with Mehidy Hasan Miraz hitting a few boundaries to take on the Sri Lankan attack alongside fellow opener Mohammed Naim.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shanaka hit back with his medium-pace bowling to send back Miraz for 28.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pathirana got the big wicket of Shakib, caught behind for three and with Liton Das' departure Bangladesh slipped to 83-4.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid attempted to raise hopes of a fightback in a stand of 72 before Dunith Wellalage broke through with the wicket of Mushfiqur, who made 29.<\/p>\r\n\r\n