Riding on a fiery half-century of Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka posted 168 for seven in their Super Four clash in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh on Saturday night.
Asked to bat after Bangladesh skipper Litton Das won the toss, Sri Lanka made a brisk start through Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.
Nissanka struck 22 off 15 before Taskin Ahmed had him caught at the ropes, while Mendis added 34 with three sixes to keep the early momentum going.
Bangladesh managed to get back some control through Mahedi Hasan, who bagged the wickets of Mendis and Kamil Mishara quickly.
Mustafizur Rahman then applied further pressure, removing Kusal Perera for 16 and later claiming Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga in the space of three balls.
But Shanaka changed the tone of the innings. The former captain smashed 64 not out from just 37 deliveries, including six towering sixes.
His clean hitting in the death overs, supported briefly by Charith Asalanka’s 21 off 12, lifted Sri Lanka from a middling 97 for 4 to a competitive total.
Mustafizur was the best bowler for Bangladesh. He bagged three wickets for 20 runs in four overs. Mahedi Hasan bagged two wickets for 25 runs. But Shoriful Islam and Nasum Ahmed were expensive, leaking as many as 85 runs in their eight overs.