By Srian Obeyesekere

In a high scoring affair, Sri Lanka lost their first World Cup warm up match against Bangladesh by 7 wickets having totaled 263 off 49.1 overs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

Bangladesh skippered by Mehidy Hasan Miraz made light of the target with openers Tanzid Hasan 84 off 88 inclusive of 10 boundaries and 2 sixes and Litton Das 61 off 56 with 10 boundaries posting 131 with the skipper remaining unbeaten on 67 off 64 hitting 5 boundaries and 2 sixes and Mushfiqur Rahim on 35 off 43 with 2 boundaries and a six.

Opting to bat first on winning the toss, Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka 68 off 64 with 8 boundaries and a six and Kusal Janith Perera 34 off 24 with 6 boundaries were off to a flying start, but the latter looking in fine touch before being forced to retire hurt. The advent of Kusal Mendis 22 off 19 with 3  boundaries and a six took the score to 104 when Sri Lanka lost the first wicket after 14.4 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama lasted 3 balls for 2 within 6 balls making it 107 for 2 before Charith Asalanka 18 off 32 (2×4) joined Nissanka in taking the score to 132 when the latter exited in the 20th over that brought Dhananjaya de Silva who struck a compelling innings of 55 off 79 with 2 boundaries and a six. He added 41 for the sixth wicket with Dimuth Karunaratne coming at No. 8 who made 18 off 32 with 2 boundaries 9 off 55 balls into the 43rd over after skipper Dasun Shanaka fell for 3 off 17 in a continued struggle with the bat. De Silva exited was seventh out with the score on 229 after 45.5 overs from which the tail wagged to taking the side to a challenging score in spite of the failures of some of the recognized batsmen.

The win for Bangladesh was heartwarming under the leadership of Mehidy Hasan Miraz who made his debut during the recent Asia Cup with just five ODIs appearances. 

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka 263 (49.1 Overs) RR: 5.34

(Pathum Nissanka 68, Dhananjaya de Silva 55, Kusal Janith Perera 34,

Kusal Mendis 22 , Charith Asalanka 18, Dimuth Karunaratne 18, Lahiru Kumara 13, Dushan Hemantha 11, Dunith Wellalage 10, Mahedi Hasan 3/36, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1/32,

Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1/33, Shoriful Islam 1/35, Nasum Ahmed 1/51)

Bangladesh 264/3 (42 Overs) RR: 6.28

(Tanzid Hasan 84, Mehidy Hasan Miraz n.o. 67, Litton Das 61, Mushfiqur Rahim 

n.o. 35, Lahiru Kumara 1/30, Dushan Hemantha 1/45, Dunith Wellalage 1/57)