Sri Lanka made Bangladesh pay for their poor catching to reach 332-1 in 50 overs and post a 92-run win in their World Cup match at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. Tillakaratne Dilshan slammed career best 161 to stay unbeaten while Kumar Sangakkara celebrated his 400th one-day international with unbeaten 105 runs. The duo took the game beyond Bangladesh’s reach half-way through as no team ever could chase down a target over 300 runs. Bangladesh, making their debut the famous MCG, were eventually all out for 240 runs in 47 overs with Sabbir Rahman scoring highest 53 runs and Sakib al Hasan chipping in with 43. Lasith Malinga bowled Tamim Iqbal in the very first over to start the rout as Sri Lanka struck at regular intervals to deny Bangladesh any chance posing any threat. Malinga claimed 3-35 while Dislhan capped in a fine all-rounder performance to finish with 2-35. The Tigers dropped at least three regular catches and Sri Lanka took full advantage. Sangakkara, who shared 210 runs with Dilshan in their unbroken second wicket stand, was dropped at least twice by Taskin Ahmed and Mominul Haque, respectively on 23 and 60. Earlier, Anamul Haque dropped Lahiru Thirimanne off the fourth ball of the innings, denying Bangladesh a dream start into the MCG debut. Thirimanne lived dangerously to score 52 runs before he was caught by Taskin off Rubel. The left-hander, who also survived a stumping chance on 44, shared 122 runs with Dilshan in the opening stand to set up the platform for a big innings. Sri Lanka added 115 runs in the last 10 overs as Dilshan and Sagnakkara made mockery of Bangladesh’s bowling to complete their centuries. Dilshan struck 22 fours in his 146-ball innings while Sangakkara faced 76 balls and hit 13 fours and a six. Taskin bore the brunt of their marauding batting giving away 82 runs in his 10 overs.
Source: New Age
