Abu Dhabi: Pathum Nissanka (50) and Kamil Mishara (46 not out) made light work of a modest target to power Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win against Bangladesh in their Group B match of the Asia Cup, here on Saturday.
After restricting Bangladesh to 139 for five, Sri Lanka crossed the finish line with 32 balls and six wickets to spare to record a commanding win, making 140 for four in 14.4 overs.
Even though Mustafizur Rahman (1/35) removed Kusal Mendis (3) in the second over for an early breakthrough, Bangladesh seamers neither managed to use the new ball to put further pressure nor could they stem the flow of runs as Sri Lanka raced to 55 for one in the powerplay.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka had a sensational night with the bat, scoring 50 runs off 34 balls. With that, he became the fastest Sri Lankan batter to complete 2000 runs in the format. He reached the milestone in just 68 innings, surpassing Kusal Perera, who completed 2000 runs in 76 innings.
Batting at three, Kamil Mishara too played a charismatic knock, scoring an unbeaten 46 runs off 32 balls. Courtesy of their knocks, Sri Lanka won the match by six wickets and won the match with 32 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanka. Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (wk/c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman,
