CHITTAGONG: Pathum Nissanka’s sensational century, paired up with Charith Asalanka’s 91 propelled Sri Lanka to a comfortable three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second ODI of the three-match series here on Friday.
Put into bat first, Bangladesh registered a formidable total of 286/7 on the board, courtesy of Soumya Sarkar and Towhid Hridoy’s half-centuries.
The home side had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost wicketkeeper batter Litton Das (0) on just the third delivery.
But skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto soon settled things down by stitching an anchoring 75-run partnership with Sarkar before perishing in the 13th over.
Shanto scored a brisk 40 off 39 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
Sarkar was then joined by Hridoy in the middle and the pair combined to add 55 runs for the third wicket before the former finally departed in the 22nd over.
Soumya Sarkar remained a notable run-getter for Bangladesh with a 66-ball 68 which featured a dozen boundaries including a six.
Hridoy took charge of Bangladesh’s batting charge and carried his bat all the way through to steer the hosts to a commendable total.
He top-scored for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 96 off 102 deliveries, laced up with three boundaries and five sixes.
Wanindu Hasarange led the bowling figures for Sri Lanka with 4/45 in his 10 overs, followed by Dilshan Madushanka, who bagged two.
Set to chase 287, Sri Lanka comfortably chased down the total for the loss of seven wickets and 17 balls to spare.
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The touring side, however, got off to a dismal start to the pursuit as they lost three wickets with just 41 runs on the board in 6.1 overs.
Following the early debacle, Charith Asalanka joined Pathum Nissanka in the middle and launched an astounding recovery.
The pair added 185 runs for the fourth wicket with Nissanka amassing his century in the process.
Bangladesh then attempted to force a late comeback as both set batters walked back in successive overs, bringing Sri Lanka down to 235/5 in 38 overs.
Nissanka remained the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with 114 off 113 deliveries, peppered with 13 boundaries and three sixes while Asalanka narrowly missed his well-deserved hundred, scoring 91 off 93 deliveries with the help of six boundaries and four sixes.
But Wanindu Hasaranga played a crucial cameo at the backend and put Sri Lanka in touching distance.
He scored 25 off 16 deliveries, hitting one boundary and two sixes.
Later, Dunith Wellalage displayed nerves of steel and steered Sri Lanka to victory with an unbeaten 16.
Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam bagged two wickets each for Bangladesh while Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzim Hasan Sakib struck out a batter apiece.
The three-wicket victory meant Sri Lanka levelled the three-match series against Bangladesh. The two sides will square off in the final ODI on Monday.
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