The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh conceded a huge 131-run defeat as they scored 226 runs for the loss of seven wickets off 50 overs in reply to Sri Lanka’s massive 357 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 50 overs in their Group-A encounter of Asia Cup at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore of Pakistan on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim made 44 playing 53 balls.

Besides, Raqibul Hasan, Alok Kapali and Tamim Iqbal added 35, 30 and 28 runs to the Bangladesh total.

M Muralitharan bagged a couple of wickets for 26 runs while Chaminda Vaas, K Kulasekara, C Fernando, Jayasuriya took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Sri Lanka made a solid start as Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara, the two openers of Sri Lanka, contributed 116 runs in the opening stand before Sanath Jayasuriya was bowled by Abdur Razzak.

Sangakkara smashed a marvellous 101 facing 91 deliveries. He struck 16 strokes across the ropes.

Sanath Jayasuriya hammered a strong 72 using 47 balls, the innings was studded with 10 fours and three sixes.

K Capugedara was the other batsman of Sri Lanka who shone with the willow making 74 off 67 balls amid five boundaries and two over boundaries.

Spinner Abdur Razzak of Bangladesh harpooned three wickets at the cost of 55 runs while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain, the two medium pacers, bagged a pair of wickets each conceding 53 and 62 runs respectively.