• Source:JND
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Sri Lanka were clinical enough to get the better of Bangladesh, berating them by five wickets to kick off their campaign in the Asia Cup 2023 on a high.

Charith Asalanka made sure that his team got to the target with 11 overs to spare as he remained unbeaten on 62 runs. His patient innings included five boundaries and a six.

The left-handed batter stitched a crucial partnership of 78 runs for the fourth wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama.

The latter also smashed a half-century and scored 54 runs in 77 balls with the help of six boundaries before he was dismissed by Mahedi Hasan in the 30th over.

"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," Samarawickrama said after the win.

Sri Lanka started their innings with a struggle as they lost quick wickets and were in a bothering situation of 43/3 in 9.2 overs before Asalanka and Samarawickrama began to make it count with the bat.

Earlier Bangladesh after winning the toss were bowled out for just 164 runs in 42.4 overs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was the lone fighter for them as he went on to score 89 runs but got no support from his fellow batters. He hit seven fours in his 122-ball knock before he was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana in the 42nd over.

For Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana was brilliant with the ball as he ended up taking four wickets for 32 runs in 7.4 overs, including the crucial wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.

He got promising support from Theekshana who took two wickets with the rest of the bowlers picking up a wicket each except Kasun Rajitha.

The young Pathirana was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his effective bowling performance

"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," he said at the post-match presentation.

Dasun Shanaka-led side will face Afghanistan in their second match of the tournament in Lahore on Tuesday, September 5.