Asia Cup 2023: Matheesha Pathirana-inspired Sri Lanka
In the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh on Thursday, fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana produced astounding figures of 4-32 to lead Sri Lanka to a crucial five-wicket victory.
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In the opening game of the 50-over competition’s Sri Lanka leg, which served as a warm-up for the ODI World Cup in India in October, spinner Maheesh Theekshana struck first before she and Matheesha Pathirana combined to dismiss Bangladesh for 164.
Sadeera Samarawickrama (54), and Charith Asalanka (62), who had lost their early starters and were down at 43-3, spearheaded the chase with a crucial 78-run partnership.
As Sadeera Samarawickrama reached his fourth ODI half-century, the quiet crowd in the picturesque backdrop became increasingly boisterous.
However, the side was able to win in 39 overs thanks to a crucial boundary from left-handed Asalanka.
On a surface where scoring runs looked to be challenging, Charith Asalanka gradually progressed to 50 in 85 balls. The skipper, Dasun Shanaka, has not yet suffered a defeat.
Thanks to Matheesha Pathirana, whose yorkers have drawn parallels to Lasith Malinga’s, the bowlers were able to secure victory. .
Bangladesh chose to bat first, and with to top-order batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 89, their innings only lasted 42.4 overs.
Maheesh Theekshana bowled rookie Tanzid Hasan, who was out for zero runs. Dhananjaya De Silva soon returned fellow opener Mohammad Naim for sixteen runs.
Following the dismissal of Bangladesh’s openers, third-place batter Najmul Hossain Shanto maintained composure and formed significant partnerships, notably a 59-run fourth-wicket stand with Towhid Hridoy, who finished with the next-best score of 20.
He smashed seven boundaries and reached his fourth ODI half-century while the other batsmen battled.
Maheesh Theekshana later returned to remove the tail after bowled Shanto with his peculiar spin to conclude the left-hander’s 122-ball innings.
After a misunderstanding with Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s run-out only made matters worse for Bangladesh.
