Dilshan made a career-best 161 and took two wickets as well
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Sri Lanka all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a career-best 161 and wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara made 105 to help their side demolish Bangladesh by 92 runs in Melbourne.
Dilshan and Sangakkara were well supported by opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who made 52.
However, Bangladesh all-rounder Sabbir Rahman deserves some credit as he made a valiant 53.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews would have been thrilled with his decision to bat first after Thirimanne and Dilshan amassed a 122-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Thirimanne was caught by Taskin Ahmed at third man off the bowling of Rubel Hossain.
Thirimanne’s solid knock of 52 came off 78 balls and included three boundaries.
Thirimanne hit three boundaries during his knock of 52
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Dilshan and Sangakkara, who was playing his 400th ODI, kept the runs flowing with an unbeaten 210-run partnership, during which Sangakkara registered his 22nd ODI century and Dilshan his 21st, to lead Sri Lanka to 332/1 off their 50 overs.
Dilshan finished on a career-best 161, which came off 146 balls and included 22 boundaries, while Sangakkara remained undefeated on 105, which came off 76 deliveries and included 13 boundaries and a six.
Sangakkara celebrates after scoring his 22nd ODI century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Hossain was the only bowler to take a wicket.
Chasing 333 to win, Bangladesh got off to a horrible start as they were reduced to 100/5 in the 21st over.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim stabilised the innings with a 64-run partnership before Al Hasan was caught by Lasith Malinga at long-on off the bowling of Dilshan for 46.
Rahim went on to score 36 runs before he was clean bowled by Suranga Lakmal.
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza only made seven runs before he was stumped by Sangakkara off the bowling of Dilshan.
Rahman managed to make 53 off 62 balls, which included seven boundaries, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Malinga.
Rahman made a gutsy 53
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Bangladesh were bowled out for 240 the very next ball as Ahmed was given out lbw for a golden duck.
Ahmed asked for a review, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to crash into middle stump. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Malinga was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Lakmal and Dilshan picked up two wickets apiece and Mathews and Thisara Perera claimed one wicket each.
Mortaza was disgusted with his side’s performance, and said: “[Our] Fielding cost us but our bowlers were up to the mark and next match we will try to come up with good things. Dilshan and Sangakkara are great players, they showed us today. Without a win you can’t think anything and I hope this is our worst game in the tournament.”
Mathews was pleased to have won the match, and said: “They [Dilshan and Sangakkara] were brilliant, they batted us through and Dilshan was amazing. It was a calculated effort and it was a clinical performance. I won’t say clinical because we were slightly sloppy on the field, we could have done better. But once we got the runs, the bowlers got to bowl freely. It’s important to peak at the right time and when it comes to the quarter-finals, we’ll take it one match at a time.”
Dilshan was named Man of the Match, and said: “Really happy today because in the last game I got out on the first ball. I’m enjoying every single moment in the middle and try to enjoy every ball there with the youngsters. Sanga is a great man, no doubt. With him I’ve had more than 14-15 hundred partnerships. With him I discussed how to build the partnership and the Powerplay. I also dropped one catch and it’s part of the game, but I’m very happy how we came back and Malinga bowled well. We bowled and fielded well.”