DUBAI – Bangladesh won the opening match of Asia Cup at Dubai Stadium against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Sri Lanka were crumbling in chase of Bangladesh’s 261 and had lost eight wickets before reaching 100 runs in their Asia Cup opener. It took them 29 overs just to break the 100-run mark, but the game was over long before then.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraz picked up two wickets each as the Islanders lost wickets at regular intervals without being able to add much to the scoreboard.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted a good total of 261 thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 144 that featured some lusty late blows.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun pull Bangladesh out of the gutter with a century stand for the third wicket in the opening match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lankan at the Dubai International Stadium today.
The pair took the score to 119-2 from a hopeless 3-2 with Tamim Iqbal retired hurt. The partnership stood 116 runs after 23 overs with Mithun unbeaten on 57 and Mushfiqur on 54. Mithun scored his maiden half century off 52 balls that contained four fours and a couple of sixes. Mushfiqur’s half century featured three fours and a six.
The match started at 4:30pm (PKT) between the teams of the Group B. Afghanistan have also been clubbed with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four round. Then the top teams in the Super Four will qualify for the September 28 final.
Pakistan to play Hong Kong in group A in Dubai on Sunday.
The Asia Cup is being seen by the teams as a key warm-up event for next year´s World Cup in England.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
