Sri Lanka etched their names in the history books as they became the first side to bowl out their opponents in 13 consecutive ODI games, whilst also racking up their 13th successive win by beating Bangladesh by 21 runs in Colombo. Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed a 93-run knock which helped him win the Player of the Match as he enabled the hosts to smash 257/9 in fifty overs, while Bangladesh could only muster up 236 in reply. The defeat leaves Shakib Al Hasan’s side on the cusp of elimination from Asia Cup 2023.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bowl, but his side ended up conceding 257 runs.
It was a steady start for Sri Lanka who lost Karunaratne early but Pathum Nissanka smashed 40 runs in 60 balls.
Hasan Mahmud removed Karunaratne and in total, he picked up three wickets to rattle the Sri Lankan middle order. Sri Lanka were 164/5 at one stage in the game.
Kusal Mendis continued his purple patch as he smashed a fifty, while Samarawickrama smashed 93, narrowly missing his century.
Dasun Shanaka celebrated his 32nd birthday with a handy knock of 24 runs, partnering with Sadeera as the duo helped Sri Lanka to a fightworthy total.
Needing 258 runs to keep themselves alive in the race for the Asia Cup final, Bangladesh opener Mohammad Naim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz started well and stitched together a 55-run stand.
From 55/0 Bangladesh slumped to 83/4, Captain Shanaka chipped in with two early wickets and got a total of three scalps to his name.
Shanaka got the wickets of Naim, and Miraz, while Litton Das was hunted by Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana removed Shakib Al Hasan.
Bangladeshs' Towhid Hridoy almost nearly helped his side pull away with a miraculous escape but he ultimately fell short when he was dismissed for 82.
Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim, left, and Towhid Hridoy stitched together a much-needed partnership which kept them in the game but once Hridoy was dismissed, it was nearly game over for Bangladesh.
Towhid Hridoy smashed 82 in 97 balls, rotating the strike well in the middle overs but once Maheesh Theeksana removed him, Bangladesh fell flat.
Sri Lanka dismissed Bangladesh for 236, claiming a 21-run win which helped them pick up two important points in the Asia Cup Super 4 stage, and it was also their 13th consecutive ODI win. Shanka's men meet India next on September 12.