Delhi, Nov 6: Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka were 263/7 in 47.2 overs against Bangladesh in the 38th match of the ICC ODI Men's ODI World Cup, here on Monday.
Sri Lanka lost their left-handed talented opener Kusal Perera, after he made only 4 in the 5 balls he faced. Trying to drive a faster Shoriful Islam delivery, Perera edged a chance to Bangladesh keeper Mushfiqur Rahaim, who dived to his left to grab a superb catch.
Lanka were 5/1 in the final ball of the opening over. Skipper Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka then had a 61-run rebuilding phase.
But Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, who came to bowl himself in the 12th over, got his Lankan counterpart caught by Shoriful Islam at long-on. Mendis made 19 in 30 balls with one 4 and one six.
Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib then got a well settled, confident looking, aggressive Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka for 41. Lanka were suddenly in trouble with 73/3 in 12.4 overs.
Sadeera Samarawickrama did impress again in 2023 ODI World Cup, with run-a-ball effort. But trying to play a lofted shot to mid-wicket region against Shakib Al Hasan, he was superbly caught by one of the finest deep fielders of Bangadesh side Mahmudullah. Samarawickrama made 41 in 42 balls.
There was more trouble in store for Sri Lanka, as veteran Angelo Mathews could not take strike in the stipulated three minutes time allotted to a new batter, after fall of a wicket.
Mathews, was given Timed Out, much to his shock and anguish. In a batting paradise, Lanka were in dire troubles with 135/5 in 24.2 overs.
In fact, fomer Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold, who was on a live-show, reacted to the peculiar Mathew's dismissal as the first one in international cricket. Later, the ICC too confirmed that Mathews was indeed the first to be dismissed Timed Out in an international match.
Dhananjaya de Silva, who walked out to bat after Mathews' peculiar dismissal, scored 34 in 36 balls. With Charith Asalanka, de Silva reconstructed the Lankan innings. But he was stumped by keeper Musfiqur Rahim, as Mehidy Hasan Miraz had his solitary scalp. Miraz finished his quota of 10 overs with 1/49 figure.
Earlier, there was lot of discussion on the severe air pollution in the Indian capital as both teams had difficulties in having their pre-match practice sessions.
