Lanka tame Tigers

Sri Lanka started the Idea Cup Tri-nation series with a comfortable seven-wicket victory as Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed his first hundred (104) against Bangladesh while skipper Kumar Sangakkara scored 74 to steer their side to the target of 261 in 44.5 overs over hosts Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Chasing Bangladesh’s fighting total of 260 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, Sri Lanka sailed home in 44.5 overs making 261 for the loss of three wickets.
Sri Lanka had a poor start as the Islanders lost their first wicket for 35 runs. Medium pacer Rubel Hossain harpooned the wicket of Upal Tharanga as Tharanga was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahman scoring just 14 runs.
Later, TM Dilshan and skipper Kumar Sangakkara contributed together 148 runs in the second wicket stand. Dilshan hit a superb 104 using 122 deliveries. His sixth ODI century was decorated with 12 shots across the ropes while Kumar Sangakkara hit a captain’s knock of 74 off 73 balls including 10 fours.
Tilan Samaraweera remained undefeated with 41 off 54 balls amid five fours.
Mahmud Ullah Riyad, debutante Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain took one wicket each conceding 32. 39 and 47 runs respectively.
Bangladesh made a good start as Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, the two openers of the hosts put on together 65 runs in the opening stand.
Later, Bangladesh faced debacle as they lost their early four wickets for 74 runs.
Experienced Mohammad Ashraful and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim improved their position adding together 58 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Mushfiqur Rahim was trapped leg before wicket by Suraj Randiv making 35 when the board was giving a reading of 132 for the loss of five wickets.
After dismisal of Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Ashraful, the most successful batsman of the hosts and Mahmud Ullah Riyad contributing together 95 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Mahmud Ullah Riyad was trapped leg before wicket by Suraj Randiv scoring 45 when the teams total was 227 for the loss of six wickets.
Mohammad Ashraful knocked a marvellous 75 off 94 balls amid six strokes beyond the ropes. Ashraful fulfilled his 20th half century playing 77 balls. He was run out by a direct throw of wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara.
Mahmud Ullah Riyad faced 47 deliveries in his 45-ball innings, which was studded four fours.
Opener Tamim Iqbal hit a fine 40 off 46 balls amid five fours. He struck four boundaries in the fourth over of Chanaka Welagedara.
Bangladesh earned 63 runs using the last six overs. Specially they successfully used the third power play and added 43 runs playing five overs. It was Naeem Islam, who helped Bangladesh to cross the 250-run landmark. Naeem hit a quick fire 22 playing just nine deliveries. He struck two big sixes and one four.
Suraj Randiv and Suranga Lakmal bogged a couple of wickets each giving away 51 and 63 runs respectively