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Bangladesh chose to bowl first in the second Super Four game of the Asia Cup 2023 after winning the toss. Dominic Cork noted in his pitch analysis that the surface would benefit both fast bowlers and spin spinners because it was bowler-friendly. Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, thought that under the lights in the second innings, the bowlers could receive even more assistance. Sri Lanka scored 257 runs in the first innings. Here is a review of the first innings.
Sri Lanka starts positively
Sri Lanka got off to a good start despite losing a wicket early in the sixth over—that of Dimuth Karunaratne. Sri Lanka had 51 runs when the first powerplay ended. The first wicket was taken by Hasan Mahmud. Mahmud eventually got his man after being struck for two straight fours when Karunaratne edged the ball to Mushfiqur Rahim. Despite having a difficult time during his innings, Pathum Nissanka managed to score a significant 40 runs in 60 balls. On a pitch that favoured bowlers, the batsmen approached the ball cautiously.
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Fast bowlers get Bangladesh back into the game
Shakib Al Hasan then brought in Shoriful Islam for his second pitch as Sri Lanka was cruising at 108 for the cost of just one wicket. Shoriful scored in his subsequent over after a costly 12 run over in his first over of the new stint. Nissanka was out after a shaky 40 runs in 60 balls. He was LBW’d. After being dropped by Mohammad Naim off of Shoriful’s bowling, Kusal Mendis eventually scored his half-century. He was dismissed by Shoriful in the same over that he scored his half-century after playing a ram shot straight to the third man fielder.
Charith Asalanka, who began his innings by hitting a four off the first ball he faced, was removed by Taskin Ahmed for just 10 runs after playing a nothing shot to Shakib at mid-on. He struggled to get going despite facing 23 deliveries. After only scoring six runs, Dhananjya de Silva was the next batter to be struck out. Once more, Hasan Mahmud unleashed a delivery that caught the edge. Dhananjya attempted to block a long delivery, but he was only able to edge it to Mushfiqur.
Sadeera Samarawickrama unfazed by regular wickets
Amidst all the wickets falling at the other end, Sadeera Samarawickrama kept his cool and scored a crucial knock of 93 runs off just 72 balls. He reached his half-century in just 45 deliveries. Samarawickrama played with a balance of discipline and modern technique. Five of his fours came behind the wicket and his first maximum too came behind the wicket. He shared a half-century stand with skipper, Shanaka before the latter was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud.