Sangakkara ton gives Sri Lanka the series

Cricket365
February 20, 2014

Batsman Kumar Sangakkara struck a bullish century, as Sri Lanka won by 61 runs in Thursday's second ODI against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.

The hosts' decimation of the opposition top order required a staunch rearguard innings, with Sangakkara obliging to the tune of a fine 128 off a mere 115 deliveries, 14 boundaries included, as they reached 289 for six.

The Tigers were then all out for 228, with Mushfiqur Rahim's half century not enough to save the day, and once he was out it was done, despite the tail end wickets remaining, which fell soon after.

Sanga's ton marked the 17th of his career, while the inexperienced Ashan Priyanjan and captain Angelo Mathews contributed a complementary 60 and 56 not out respectively. Sri Lanka won the first match of the three-ODI affair by 13 runs at the same venue earlier this week.

The visitors got off to a poor start, losing their first three batsmen for single figures, until Sangakkara and Priyanjan put on 114 together. Once the latter departed, Sanga then added 83 alongside his skipper, Mathews.

Bangladesh were victims of a good all-round bowling effort by Sri Lanka, withe wickets spread around and taken at regular intervals. Only Rahim's 78 provided real resistance and he put together a half ton stand with Shakib and then 47 with Mash Mortaza.

But their last three wickets fell for 20 runs, giving Sri Lanka the win and an unassailable series lead. The final game will also be played in Dhaka, on Saturday.

<b>Bangladesh:</b> Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafe Mortaza, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain.

<b>Sri Lanka:</b> Tillakartane Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Ashan Priyanjan, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelow Mathews, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.