Sri Lanka did not get off to a good start chasing runs in a low-scoring match. Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne returned to Sajghar after being bowled out in the third over of Taskin Ahmed’s innings. In the next over, Shariful sent back Pathum Nishanka. This time Shakib took the wicket. Till writing this report, the Lankans have collected 50 runs for 3 wickets in 12 overs.
Now Sadera Samaravikrama is unbeaten on 22 and Charith Ashalanka is on 3 runs.
Earlier, Tiger team leader Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat at the beginning of the match in Pallekele. The anointed opener Tanjid Hasan Tamim could not facilitate. He returned in the second over with a personal score. Another opener Mohammad Naeem Sheikh scored 16 runs off 23 balls. Shakib scored only 5 runs.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Tawhid Hriday took the lead of the team which lost three wickets for only 36 runs. At this time, the two made a pair of 59 runs. Hridoy was trapped lbw by Dasun Shanaka for a personal 20 runs. 13 runs came from Mushfiqur’s bat. Miraj 5 and Sheikh Mehdi scored 6 runs.
Meanwhile, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who came down to play the second wicket, scored a personal half-century. This left-handed batsman was moving towards the century. He stopped at a personal 89 run by Mahesh Thiksener. The 122-ball innings is arranged in 7 fours. Besides, Taskin and Mostafiz got out for zero runs. Shariful Islam remains unbeaten by 2 runs.
Mathisa Pathirana took the maximum four wickets for Sri Lanka. Mahesh Thiksena took two and three wickets each.
(31 August/MM)