That's It! Sri Lanka finish it off in style by hitting a boundary. They were troubled early by Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam's new ball bowling but Sadeera Samarawickrama and then Charith Asalanka's half-century steadied their ship taking them comfortably over the finishing line.
Charith Asalanka takes on Mahedi Hasan and removes the little bit of threat that Bangladesh posed to them. He also completes his half-century and hit the first six of the game.
Out! There it is. Shakib Al Hasan comes back and sniffs a wicket. Bangladesh are now clawing back in their game. Their only chance is by taking wickets and they does exactly that, this time removing Dhananjaya de Silva.
Out! Bangladesh get the wicket they wanted. Sadeera Samarawickrama charges out trying to take on Mahidy Hasan and just walks past the ball completely missing it. Mushfiqur Rahim does no mistake. Bangladesh will hope as they lost wickets in a heap from similar situation.
Fifty! Sadeera Samarawickrama steadied Sri Lanka's innings when they were in crisis losing early wickets and now steadily carries them towards the finishing line. Amidst it, he also completed his half-century in just 59 deliveries.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka have stitched a small 47-run partnership and took out Sri Lanka out of the initial troubles. Now they will look to ensure that they get over the line with only 75 runs remaining without any hiccups.
Bangladesh have just tightened their stranglehold on Sri Lanka and didn't let them loose. Shakib Al Hasan coming in to attack and picking the wicket of Kusal Mendis has helped them claw further back into the game. Bangladesh will look to keep on squeezing the middle overs.
Out! Bangladesh is proving why their pace attack is reputed as lethal. After Taskin, Shoriful Islam strikes dismissing Pathum Nissanka. Bangladesh have now got both the openers of Sri Lanka and now will try to impose the stranglehold.
Out! Bangladesh get one early breakthrough as Taskin Ahmed swings a fullish delivery through the gates of Dimuth Karunaratne. Bangladesh desperately needed an early wicket and they have got one.
Out! The 200-run remained a distant dream for the Bangladesh batters as they lost their last four wickets in absolutely no time. Clinical performance from Sri Lankan bowlers, specially Matheesha Pathirana who picked up four wickets. Najmul Hossain Shanto's wicket by Maheesh Theekshana was the key in wrapping up the innings early.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka meet in the second match of the Asia Cup 2023 tournament on August 31. The two teams have developed quite a rivalry in the past editions of the competition and it would be very interesting to see another new chapter being added to this, with today's match. The Group B contest is being played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and it is scheduled to start at 3:00 pm IST (Indian Standard Time). The winner of this contest will have a huge impact on the Super 4 qualification scenario from Group B. Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023 Free Live Streaming Online on Disney+ Hotstar: Watch Live Telecast of BAN vs SL ODI Cricket Match on TV in India.
Both teams would be without some key players for this tournament. Bangladesh reappointed Shakib Al Hasan as the captain of the ODI side after Tamim Iqbal stepped down and was ruled out with an injury. Bangladesh also suffered blows in the form of Litton Das and fast bowler Ebadot Hossain not being part of the tournament this time. While Hossain is slated to undergo surgery on his knee, Das, a pretty wicketkeeper-batter at the top of the order was ruled out with a viral fever. Sri Lanka too have their injury concerns with star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara not taking part in the competition. Asia Cup 2023 Full Schedule: Get Time Table With Date, Match Timings in IST, Fixtures and Venue Details of ODI Tournament.
This Group B contest is a pretty evenly matched one. Sri Lanka would have the advantage of playing at home while Bangladesh would bank on the experience of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman among others.
Squads:
Bangladesh Squad: Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Afif Hossain, Anamul Haque, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando