BAN VS SL - 2nd Match, Group B, Asia Cup, 2023

So that is all. This rivalry has produced some spicy encounters in the recent past, but it wasn't to be today as Bangladesh fizzled out with the bat. Hope the games coming up will be much closer. Until then, it's goodbye!

Pathirana, Player of the Match: This is my first POTM for my country - really happy about that. T20 skills are good for death overs. That's why I took my wickets with the slower balls. My action is unpredictable. It's a good advantage for me.

Shanaka: The way bowlers executed, credit to them. Especially Theekshana up front, Dhananjaya, and Pathirana who's bowling so well. Tricky surface. The way Sadeera batted, today was his day. Asalanka has been outstanding over last 2 years. Good signs for Sri Lankan cricket.

Shakib: It wasn't a 300 wicket. 220-230 would've given us more chance. Didn't bat well as a unit. Have to regroup, have another important game in a couple of days. Needed couple more wickets when they were 3 down for 30. We picked up wickets but didn't have enough on the board. There were a lot of nerves when we started the game. Lot of guys playing Asia Cup for first time. They've been playing good cricket that's why they're in dressing room.

Samarawickrama: It was not easy at that time, two wickets down early, my plan was to be positive and at the same time build a partnership. It’s not easy to bat on this wicket, spinning and a bit slow and a bit in it for the fast bowlers. I have always backed my strength, normally cover drive and pull shot and I try to stay positive.

Teams dismissing the opponents in most consecutive ODI innings:
11* - Sri Lanka in (2023)
10 - Australia in (2009-2010)
10 - South Africa in (2013-2014)
9 - Pakistan in (1999-2000)
9 - Pakistan in (1996)

First time Sri Lanka has won 11 consecutive ODI matches. This is their longest streak in ODIs.
Most consecutive ODI wins for Sri Lanka:
11 - (Jun 2023 - ongoing)*
10 - (Feb 2004 - Jul 2004)
10 - (Dec 2013 - May 2014)

21:52 Local Time, 16:22 GMT, 21:52 IST: A fairly comfortable win for Sri Lanka to kick off Group B. Bangladesh fought hard with the ball but just didn't have enough on the board. It wasn't an easy pitch here today. Looked tacky and there was help for the spinners. Maybe there was some dew in the evening that made it easier in the second half, and Bangladesh also didn't have the advantage of knowing what total would be good enough when it was their turn with the bat. Apart from 89 from Shanto, it was a struggle for them after opting to bat. Pathirana and Theekshana were brilliant for Sri Lanka. And then with the bat it was Samarawickrama and Asalanka who bailed them out of trouble at 43/3. Needed just one partnership chasing this target and the two of them provided it.

Taskin Ahmed to Asalanka, FOUR, short of length at the waist, and Asalanka finishes it off in style as he pulls it to the long leg boundary

Taskin Ahmed to Shanaka, 1 run, slower one on the pads, flicked behind square

Taskin Ahmed to Shanaka, no run, short of length outside off, left alone

Taskin Ahmed to Shanaka, no run, good length on middle, strikes Shanaka on the thigh as he plays across the line. Review taken by Bangladesh. It's only clipping the bails. Umpire's call

Taskin Ahmed to Asalanka, 1 run, dug in short, pulled away to deep square leg

Taskin Ahmed to Shanaka, 1 run, short of length outside off, Shanaka tucks it behind square

Taskin Ahmed [6.0-1-27-1] is back into the attack

Mahedi Hasan to Asalanka, no run, length ball on off, Asalanka punches to point

Mahedi Hasan to Asalanka, no run, full on off, defended forward

Mahedi Hasan to Asalanka, SIX, not all that short but Asalanka manages to muscle the pull over midwicket

Mahedi Hasan to Asalanka, no run, floated up on off, defended forward

Mahedi Hasan to Shanaka, 1 run, down the leg-side, Shanaka glances it to fine leg