Sri Lanka dominantly thumped Bangladesh by 5 wickets on Thursday (31st August) at Pallakele international Cricket Stadium, Pallakele. Fifties from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka before Maheesh Pathirana's four far helped Sri Lanka overcome Bangladesh.

After winning the toss Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan chose to bat first. Coming out to bat, Bangladesh fell into a deep trouble. The debutant Tanzid Hasan left awestruck by a beauty from Maheesh Theekshana. Mohammad Naim, the other opener too couldn’t stay long as he made only 16 off just 23 balls and fell to Dhananjaya De Silva. Bangladesh felt the real heat when their skipper Shakib chased an outside ball but found a thick edge and went back to the hutch, left Bangladesh stuttering for 36-3.
However Najmul Shanto and Towhid Hridoy tried to held things back with a fine 59 run stand but a brilliant delivery from Shanaka saw him getting back to the pavilion.

Mushfiqur, Mehedi all flopped horribly and Bangladesh went into a deep hole. Najmul Shanto kept going and going and scored a fantastic 89 off 122 balls to keep Bangladesh on the track but Maheesh Theekshana again chopped him on and Bangladesh were bundled for 164-10.

Maheesh Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 4 wickets on the day, while he was well supported by his companions. Theekshana got 2 wickets, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya De Silva and Dasun Shanaka all shared 1 wickets apiece.

In reply of 164, Sri Lanka stuttered earlier of their innings. Taskin Ahmed ripped through the stumps of Dimuth Karunaratne for 1 off 3 only. Shoriful Islam too gave Bangladesh hope with a whopping Dldelivery to get rid of Pathum Nissanka. Sri Lanka were crumbling on 15-2. However, Shakib Al Hasan too inflicted right on the time and got the wicket of Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka were on 43-3 and they still need more than 120 to win the game. An excellent 78 run stand between Sadera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka saw Sri Lanka coming out of hole. This partnership kicked Bangladesh out of the match and helped Sri Lanka to chase down the modest total. Sadera Samarawickrama scored a brilliant 54 off only 77 balls before falling to Mehedi Miraz but he took Sri Lanka to a position where they could never lose. However, Shakib got another one and this time the big fish Dhananjaya De Silva but that was too late.
Charith Asalanka got his fifty and steered the ship till the end.