Bangladesh edge Sri Lanka in ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture

GUWAHATI: Bangladesh’s top-three Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored brilliant half-centuries to propel their side to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the warm-up fixture of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Set to chase a modest 264, Bangladesh comfortably amassed the total for the loss of just three wickets with 42 balls to spare.

Bangladesh openers Hasan and Das scripted a solid start to the pursuit as the pair notched up a magnificent 131-run partnership.

The opening duo had Bangladesh in complete command before Dushan Hemantha provided a much-needed breakthrough to Sri Lanka by dismissing Das.

Litton Das played a brisk 61-run knock in 56 deliveries, laced with 10 boundaries.

Hasan once again found subtle support at the other end in the form of Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Hasan and Miraz added 52 runs for the second wicket before the former finally perished in the 28th over.

The opening batter remained the top-scorer for Bangladesh with an 88-ball 84 which featured 10 boundaries and two sixes.

Bangladesh then endured another hit to their pursuit as Towhid Hridoy perished for a golden duck in the next over.

Following back-to-back blows, wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim joined Miraz at the crease and put together an unbeaten 76-run partnership to steer Bangladesh to a comfortable victory.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored an unbeaten 67 off 64 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and two sixes while Rahim scored 35 not out in 43 balls.

For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dunith Wellalage and Dushan Hemantha made one scalp each.

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Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka displayed a decent performance with their bat in their first warm-up fixture of the World Cup with Nissanka and de Silva leading the charge, scoring a half-century each.

Nissanka smashed eight boundaries and a six on his way to top score for Sri Lanka with a 64-ball 68.

Dhananjaya de Silva, on the other hand, was equally impressive with his cautious 55 which came off 79 deliveries.

The right-handed batter smashed two boundaries and a six amid his important knock.

His knock also proved to be a stabilizer for Sri Lanka, who were losing wickets at regular intervals despite a solid start to their innings.

Besides Nissanka and de Silva, opening batter Kusal Perera was the notable run-getter for Sri Lanka, with a 24-ball 34 which featured six boundaries, followed by Kusal Mendis (22).

Mahedi Hasan led the bowling attack for Bangladesh with splendid figures of 3/36 in his nine overs, followed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking one wicket apiece.

Meanwhile, the second warm-up match of the World Cup between South Africa and Afghanistan was abandoned due to persistent rain in Thiruvananthapuram.

Both South Africa and Afghanistan missed an opportunity to test their bowling and batting depth as their first warm-up match, heading to the ICC World Cup 2023 was washed out without a ball bowled.

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