Bangladesh made a good showing of themselves in the first ODI of the Idea Cup tri series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, facing up to Sri Lanka, the latter though running away with the match.
Mohammad Ashraful gave Bangladesh the weight to showing they are worthy of being thrust in a contest amongst heavyweights. And with the openers showed plenty of gusto, Bangladesh showed a good exhibition of their talent when batting first.
Sadly though Bangladesh failed to show a similar shine with the ball, even as Tillekeratne Dilshan, who has put better teams to shame, stole the thunder away from the hosts.
Imran Kayes and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh just what they wanted – a good start with sixty-five runs. Mushfiqur Rehman and Mahmadullah contributed generously to the cause but it was Naeem who stole the thunder with successive sixes that allowed Bangladesh to reach 260.
But where Bangladesh suffered was at the hands of an in form, belligerent Tillekeratne Dilshan who shifted gears beyond the reach of the hosts. Runs came in avalanches, milestones stumbled by the wayside and Sri Lanka made Bangladesh’s dutifully put-together innings look scanty.
With dew having a say, Bangladesh lost what little they had by way of spin as the momentum was comprehensively seized by Dilshan who innings of a 104 and his partnership worth 128 for the second wicket with the Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara, swung it decisively the way of the stronger counterparts on the day.
The win, in the end, came too easy as Sri Lanka won the match by seven wickets and five overs still in the pocket.
But Sri Lankan await another challenge for the morrow – where they take on India in a renewed contest.
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