Asalanka, Rajapakse Guide Sri Lanka To 5 Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Cricket Image for Asalanka, Rajapakse Guide Sri Lanka To 5 Wicket Win Over Bangladesh (Image Source: Twitter)

Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 80 and Bhanuka Rajapakse's 53 helped Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by five wickets in the 15th match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday in Sharjah. 

Chasing 172, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera in the first over but Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka added 69 runs for the second wicket in 45 balls to set the platform. Nissanka scored 24 off 21 balls before Shakib Al Hasan bowled him. Shakib struck again in the same over as Avishka Fernando got out on a duck. 

It seemed that Bangladesh will take the game away from Sri Lanka after Wanindu Hasaranga too got out in the next over, leaving the score 79/4 at the halfway stage. 

However, Rajapakse and Asalanka stitched an 86-run stand in next 52 balls to completely take the game away from Bangladesh. The two mixed aggression with caution and made sure no wicket was lost. They were helped by some luck too as Liton Das dropped two catches at the boundary. 

Rajapakse scored 53 from 31 balls with the help of three fours and three sixes. Nasum Ahmed got rid of him in the 19th over but it was too late as Asalanka finished the game in the same over. 

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Bangladesh scored 41 inside the powerplay and lost the wicket of Liton Das, who scored 16. Shakib Al Hasan couldn't contribute much with the bat and scored 10. 

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Naim added 73 runs in 51 balls to set up a strong finish for the team. Naim scored 62 from 52 balls with the help of six fours. 

Rahim continued to smash after Naim's wicket and remained unbeaten at 57 from 37 balls to take Bangladesh to a competitve score of 171/4. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Bangladesh - 171/4 
Sri Lanka - 172/5 in 18.2 overs