T20 World Cup 2021, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Super 12): Asalanka-Rajapaksa show hands Lanka 5-wicket win

Former champion Sri Lanka came up with a stable batting performance to defeat Bangladesh by five wickets in Group 1's Super 12 clash of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Lanka continues its unbeaten run from the Qualifiers, while Bangladesh's inconsistency prevails.

Winning the toss, Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka opted to bowl, as he made a change by bringing in Binura Fernando for Maheesh Theekshana. In contrast, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah, too, made a change in the form of Nasum Ahmed, replacing Taskin Ahmed. Bangladesh lost Liton Das (16) early, in the sixth over of the Powerplay to pacer Lahiru Kumara, with 40 runs on the board.

LIVE SCORECARD: ICC T20 World Cup 2021 (Super 12): Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

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The two had a heated confrontation before being colled down by the Lankan players. Nonetheless, 16 runs later, Shakib Al Hasan (10) fell to pacer Chamika Karunaratne in the eighth. However, it was followed by a commendable 73-run stand between opener Mohammad Naim (62) and Mushfiqur Rahim (57*). As the former scored his fourth T20I half-century, he was dismissed by medium-pacer Binura Fernando in the 17th, at 129.

21 runs later, Afif Hossain (7) was unfortunately run out in the 19th over. Nevertheless, Rahim scored his sixth T20I half-century, and along with Mahmudullah (10*), stayed unbeaten to ensure a respectable total of 171/4. While the Lankans used seven bowlers, with Karunaratne, Fernando and Kumara claiming a wicket each, the former was highly economical.

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In reply, Lanka lost Kusal Perera (1) in the fourth ball of the chase, to spinner Nasum Ahmed, with just a couple of runs on the board. However, fellow opener Pathum Nissanka (24) and Charith Asalanka (80*) put on a 69-run partnership for the second wicket, strengthening the Lankan chase before the former fell was cleaned up by spinner Shakib in the ninth, followed by Avishka Fernando (0) in the same manner by the same man in the same over.

The following over saw Wanindu Hasaranga (6) falling to pacer Mohammad Saifuddin three runs later, at 79. However, Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (53) consolidated again with a commanding 86-run stand for the fifth wicket, pushing Bangladesh backfoot. The latter scored his maiden T20I half-century before departing to Nasum in the 19th.

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However, Lanka saw out the chase and sealed the win comfortably by five wickets, with seven balls to spare. Bangladesh put seven bowlers into the attack as well, with Nasum and Shakib claiming a couple each, while the latter was the most economical from its side.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 171/4 (Naim- 62, Rahim- 57; Karunaratne- 1/12) lost to Lanka 172/5 in 18.5 overs (Asalanka- 80, Rajapaksa- 53; Shakib- 2/17) by five wickets.

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