Fragile cricketing display handed Bangladesh a big 91-run defeat against host Sri Lanka in the legendary bowler Lasith Malinga’s shining farewell day at R Premadasa Stadium of Colombo.
In pursuit to reach a 316-run target, Bangladesh tumbled for 223 all-out to lose the first match of the three-match ODI series. Bangladesh failed to manage a good start as Tamim Iqbal, the interim captain, fell for a duck off Malinga delivery. The Sri Lankan right-arm pacer removed Soumya Sarkar as well. The Tigers lost three more wickets in 39 runs.
Malinga made ending ODI memorable with a tremendous pace attack to gift home a comfortable win. The 35-year-old Lankan ended his passionate 15-year career for Sri Lanka bagging three wickets for 38 runs from 9.4 overs, including two maidens.
Mohammad Mithun (10) and Mahmudullah Riyad (3) also failed to shine with the bat.
Mushfiuqr Rahim and Sabbir Rahman came in to make a partnership in the fifth wicket stand. They added 111 runs in the fifth wicket but their effort went in vain as Bangladesh lost the match by a big margin.
Mushfiqur ended scoring 67 off 86 while Sabbir fell for 60.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted massive 314 for eight wickets in 50 overs with the help of Perera’s ODI century.
Along with him, Dimuth Karunaratne (36), Kusal Mendis (43), Angelo Mathews (48) and Lahiru Thirimanne (25) contributed for Sri Lanka with the bat.
For Bangladesh Shafiul Islam, who returned to the national side after three years, took three wickets and Mustafiur Rahman scalped two.