Sri Lanka ease to victory

Cricket365
March 24, 2013

An unbeaten century from Tillakaratne Dilshan helped Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Saturday after their victory target was reduced following floodlight failure.

An unbeaten century from Tillakaratne Dilshan helped Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their opening ODI in Hambantota after their victory target was reduced following floodlight failure.

In the battle of the centurions, Dilshan's effort of 113 not out bettered that of his opposite number, Tamim Iqbal, who led the way for Bangladesh with a score of 112.

Having been put into bat by Angelo Mathews, Bangladesh started in solid fashion, with Iqbal and Anamul Haque putting on 44 for the first wicket as Iqbal let loose with some fierce blows.

However, the Tigers were then reduced to 63 for three in the space of 19 balls as Iqbal was forced to dig out a partnership of 66 with Mohammad Mahmudullah (29) for the fourth wicket before he was joined at the crease by a belligerent Nasir Hossain (73 not out).

Iqbal brought up his 100 off 129 balls but it was Hossain who began to steal the show as he hammered 73 off just 59 balls.

Despite the loss of a number of late wickets, Bangladesh were able to post a competitive total of 259.

The match had already been an eventful one, with the players forced to lie flat on the field when a swarm of bees buzzed over the pitch, and there was more drama to come.

Floodlight failure delayed the start of the Sri Lankan response and their target was reduced to 238 in 41 overs.

Dilshan was out of the blocks quickly when play did get back underway as Sri Lanka notched up their 50 off just 25 balls, as the experienced campaigner -together with Kushal Perera (42) – tore into the opposition bowling attack.

Perera was eventually caught at slip off the bowling of Sohag Gazi, but if Bangladesh thought they had a sniff at an opening they were very much mistaken.

Kumar Sangakkara (63) joined Dilshan at the crease and the experienced duo continued to dominate proceedings as the rushed towards victory.

Sangakkara will be frustrated to have been out, caught at point, with just four more required, but Dilshan would not make the same mistake and guided the hosts to victory.

In a further blow to Bangladesh, Iqbal suffered a hairline fracture to his finger while fielding and will take no further part in the one-day series.