Matheesha Pathirana provides X-factor for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup win over Bangladesh

31.08.2023 - 20:25 thenationalnews.com

Fast-bowler Matheesha Pathirana was hailed as his team's “X-factor” after returning impressive figures of 4-32 to help Sri Lanka to a comprehensive five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup on Thursday.

Spinner Maheesh Theekshana struck early before Pathirana joined forces to dismiss Bangladesh for 164 in the opener of the Sri Lanka leg of the 50-over tournament, a precursor to October's ODI World Cup in India.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 54, and Charith Asalanka, unbeaten on 62, guided the chase in their key stand of 78 after Sri Lanka lost their openers early and slipped to 43-3.

Samarawickrama registered his fourth ODI half-century to raise the noise of the sparse crowd at the scenic venue in Pallekele.

bowling Sri Lanka Cricket Celebrity stage UPS win cup Shakib Al-Hasan Dasun Shanaka Asia Cup Dhananjaya De-Silva Mushfiqur Rahim India Sri Lanka Bangladesh

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Tuesday decided to keep the Asia Cup Super 4 and final matches in Colombo itself as the weather in the Sri Lankan capital has shown signs of improvement. It has been speculated over the last few days that the Super 4 and final games of the Asia Cup could be shifted to Hambantota after heavy rains lashed Colombo. The PTI has been informed that the ACC held parleys with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), hosts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the official broadcaster before arriving at the decision to keep the matches in Colombo itself.

Colombo's Asia Cup Matches Likely To Be Shifted To Hambantota

The Super Four games and the final of the Asia Cup are likely to be shifted from Colombo to the deep southern district of Hambantota, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sources said on Tuesday. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to make an announcement later in the day. The decision has been made in view of the heavy rains in the capital city as well as in the central town of Kandy. Both of India's matches have been affected by rain. The much anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the Pallekele stadium in Kandy was called off after one innings due to heavy downpour on Saturday, while India's match against Nepal on Monday was also truncated due to rain.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Live Score Updates, Asia Cup 2023: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne Steady For Sri Lanka, Afghanistan Eye Wickets

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023, Live Updates:Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne have provided Sri Lanka with a good start against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat against Afghanistan in their Asia Cup 2023 match on Tuesday in Lahore. Afghanistan not only find themselves in a must-win situation after the loss to Bangladesh but they also need a victory with a massive margin to finish in the top two of Group B. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will hope that their top-order fires after the failure against Bangladesh. (Live Scorecard)

Asia Cup 2023 - "If You Speak About Kashmir...": Gautam Gambhir Amid Row Over Viral Video

Gautam Gambhir, former Indian cricket team star, has reacted strongly to a video which has gone viral on social media. Social media users claimed that the 2011 World Cup hero gave an angry gesture when 'Kohli' Kohli' chants were directed at him. The video went viral while the India-Nepal Asia Cup 2023 match was taking place in Pallekele on Monday. However, Gambhir has refuted the allegations strongly. He indicated that his strong reaction was due to some people saying unsavoury things about India.

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto Shine In Bangladesh's Big Win

Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 89 runs to remain in contention for Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup on Sunday. Bangladesh posted 334 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs after opting to bat with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz hitting centuries and then bowled Afghanistan out for 245 in 44.3 overs for a big win. Taskin Ahmed (4/44) and Shoriful Islam (3/36) were the main wicket takers for Bangladesh, who had lost their first match to Sri Lanka by five wickets.