SL vs BAN Super Four: In Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka emerged victorious against Bangladesh, successfully defending their total of 258 and extending their impressive 13-match winning streak in ODIs. Sri Lanka’s innings saw a steady start, with Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka setting the tone in the powerplay. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s half-century and disciplined batting in the final overs propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 257/5.
The Bangladeshi bowlers, led by Nasum Ahmed and Taskin Ahmed, maintained control, but Sri Lanka managed to put up a challenging score. However, it was Sri Lanka’s bowlers who stole the show in the second innings, executing a well-planned short ball strategy. Captain Dasun Shanaka’s three crucial wickets and Maheesh Theekshana’s late breakthroughs proved instrumental in stifling Bangladesh’s chase.
Despite Towhid Hridoy’s valiant 82, Bangladesh couldn’t recover from crucial wickets, ultimately being bowled out for 236. The match showcased exceptional fielding from both sides, but it was Sri Lanka’s all-around performance that earned them a vital victory and two crucial points in the Super 4 round-robin stage of the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka’s win not only reaffirmed their dominance in ODIs but also highlighted their ability to strategize effectively and execute under pressure. With this victory, they have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament. Bangladesh displayed resilience and promising partnerships, but ultimately, Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and fielding excellence proved to be the difference-makers in a high-stakes encounter that will be remembered as a testament to the competitive spirit of cricket.
Match Preview: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh Super Four Clash
Date: September 9, 2023
Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the much-anticipated clash between the Lions of Sri Lanka and the Tigers of Bangladesh in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2023. This encounter promises to be a thrilling battle between two cricketing powerhouses, each with its own set of challenges and ambitions.
Recent Form
Sri Lanka: The Lions from Sri Lanka have been on an impressive winning streak, having won their last 12 ODIs. They secured the top spot in the group stage with a hard-fought victory over Afghanistan. While their batting has had its struggles, key contributions from players like Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis have been vital. The bowling, led by the young Matheesha Pathirana, has been solid, and the team aims to improve its batting performance.
Bangladesh: The Tigers from Bangladesh have had a roller-coaster journey in this tournament. They suffered a demoralizing defeat against Pakistan but bounced back with an outstanding performance against Afghanistan, scoring over 330 runs. The team, however, missed the services of their star batter Najmul Hossain Shanto due to injury, affecting their top-order stability. The batting inconsistency remains a concern, and they look to find the right formula.
Team Preparations
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan side is coping with the absence of some key players but has managed to maintain their winning momentum through collective efforts. They are keen to address their batting woes and continue their strong bowling performance, with Matheesha Pathirana leading the charge.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is striving to recover from a heavy loss to Pakistan and faces an uphill battle to secure a spot in the tournament. With Najmul Shanto sidelined, they must solve their top-order batting issues and strive for more consistency in both batting and bowling departments.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Dimuth Karunaratne
- Kusal Mendis (WK)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Charith Asalanka
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Dasun Shanaka (C)
- Dunith Wellalage
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Kasun Rajitha
- Matheesha Pathirana
Bangladesh (Playing XI)
- Mohammad Naim
- Mehidy Hasan
- Litton Das
- Shakib Al Hasan (C)
- Towhid Hridoy
- Mushfiqur Rahim (WK)
- Shamim Hossain
- Taskin Ahmed
- Shoriful Islam
- Hasan Mahmud
- Nasum Ahmed (in place of Afif Hossain)
Weather Conditions
The weather in Colombo is expected to be cloudy, and rain could play a decisive role in the match. Teams will need to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Toss and Team Selection
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first. Both teams have retained their playing XI from previous matches, hoping for a stellar performance.
SL vs BAN Super Four Asia Cup 2023 Highlights & Scorecard
Sri Lanka’s Batting Highlights
Sri Lanka’s Steady Start in Powerplay
In the initial ten overs, Sri Lanka got off to a respectable start during the powerplay, accumulating a total of 51/1. Dimuth Karunaratne led the way with 18 runs at a strike rate of 112.50, while Pathum Nissanka contributed a steady 20 runs. However, there were no individual fifties or centuries during this phase, with Karunaratne hitting 3 fours.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis’ Partnership
During the middle overs (11th to 20th), Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis formed a commendable partnership, adding 50 runs. Nissanka displayed resilience with 37 not out from 54 deliveries, while Mendis reached his half-century with 50 runs off 69 balls in the 25th over. This partnership laid a solid foundation despite limited boundaries in this phase.
Sadeera Samarawickrama’s Half-Century
In overs 41 to 50, Sadeera Samarawickrama shone with a fine half-century, reaching the milestone in just 45 balls. This period also saw Sri Lanka crossing the 200-run mark, with an emphasis on accelerating the scoring rate towards the end.
Bangladesh’s Disciplined Bowling
Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained discipline, with Nasum Ahmed conceding just 15 runs in 6 overs and Taskin Ahmed delivering a tight spell of 0/22 in 5 overs. Shakib Al Hasan also bowled economically, giving away only 20 runs in his 5 overs. This disciplined bowling effort put pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen.
Shoriful Islam’s Impactful Over
Shoriful Islam made an impact in the 23rd over, resulting in the dismissal of Pathum Nissanka and a wicket-maiden, highlighting his effectiveness during the middle overs.
Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud’s Key Wickets
Taskin Ahmed emerged as a key figure, claiming three wickets during his ten-over spell, including the important wicket of Charith Asalanka. Hasan Mahmud also took three wickets, with his dismissal of Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka being a turning point in the match.
Overall Bowling Effort
The Bangladeshi bowlers managed to restrict Sri Lanka to a reasonable target of 257 runs. While they maintained control for most of the innings, there was a slight loss of discipline towards the end. However, they managed to pick up crucial wickets, which played a significant role in their performance.
No Missed Opportunities: Notably, there were no missed opportunities mentioned in the provided text, suggesting that both teams were alert and efficient in the field throughout the innings.
Final Over Drama: Taskin Ahmed took a couple of wickets in the last over but conceded 11 runs, adding a touch of drama to the conclusion of Sri Lanka’s innings.
Bangladesh’s Batting Highlights
Towhid Hridoy’s Remarkable Half-Century
Towhid Hridoy emerged as the star of Bangladesh’s batting innings, displaying resilience and determination as he scored an impressive half-century, remaining unbeaten with 82 runs from 97 deliveries. His ability to clear the boundary ropes with a well-timed six in the 43rd over showcased his capability to accelerate the scoring.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s Pivotal Role
Mushfiqur Rahim played a pivotal role as the second-highest scorer for Bangladesh, contributing 29 runs off 48 balls. While no player managed to achieve a century or half-century during this period, Rahim’s steady innings helped stabilize Bangladesh’s chase.
Steady Progress in the Middle Overs
During the 21st to 30th overs, Bangladesh accumulated a total of 45 runs, showcasing steady progress in their innings. Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim formed a crucial partnership, amassing 50 runs together, which helped set a solid foundation for Bangladesh’s chase. Nasum Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud also added valuable runs to push the team’s score forward.
Dasun Shanaka’s Outstanding Performance
Dasun Shanaka emerged as the standout performer for Sri Lanka in the bowling department, claiming three crucial wickets while conceding just 28 runs in his nine overs. His economical and wicket-taking ability applied significant pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen.
Matheesha Pathirana’s Contribution
Matheesha Pathirana secured three wickets for 58 runs in his 9.1 overs, making important breakthroughs for Sri Lanka. Although he conceded runs, his wicket-taking ability was vital for the Sri Lankan side.
Dunith Wellalage’s Disciplined Bowling
Dunith Wellalage showcased disciplined bowling, giving away only 26 runs in his allotted 10 overs. While he didn’t pick up wickets, his tight bowling further pressured the Bangladesh batting lineup.
Sri Lanka’s Tactical Move: Sri Lanka took advantage of Powerplay 2 by deploying an extra fielder outside the 30-yard circle for the last ten overs, further tightening their grip on the match. This strategic move reflected their strong tactical approach to the game.
Fielding Excellence: Throughout the innings, there were no significant missed opportunities in the field, indicating a high level of fielding and concentration displayed by both teams. The relative scarcity of boundaries during various phases suggested a tight bowling effort by the Sri Lankan side, with both teams maintaining a competitive level of play.