Sri Lanka edge Bangladesh in thriller to reach Asia Cup Super Four

Powerful innings by Kusal Mendis and skipper Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka pull off a thrilling two-wicket win over Bangladesh to make the Asia Cup Super Four stage on Thursday.

Chasing 184 for victory in a winner-takes-all game, Sri Lanka rode on a key 54-run stand between Mendis (60) and Shanaka (45) before the tail helped achieve their target with four balls to spare in Dubai.

Mendis fell after his 37-ball knock and Shanaka was out in the 18th over.

But Chamika Karunaratne, with a 10-ball 16, and Asitha Fernando, unbeaten on 10, held their nerve to knock Bangladesh out of the tournament, which acts as a tune-up to the T20 World Cup in October-November.

Needing eight of the final over, Fernando hit a four and then took two runs off a no ball to trigger celebrations in the Sri Lankan camp.

"I think the openers did a good job, we discussed that we needed that opening partnership for the start," Shanaka said of his team's opening stand of 45 between Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.

"Today, that was the key and that's why we chased down this total."

Sri Lanka are through to the Super Four phase of #AsiaCup2022 after winning a nail-biter ??#SLvBAN | #AsiaCup2022 | ?? Scorecard: https://t.co/pxH6nCOZsp pic.twitter.com/wTDsPa4Yju

Bangladesh fast bowler Ebadot Hossain claimed three wickets but gave away 51 runs in his four overs.

Ebadot broke through in his first over to send back Nissanka for 20 and three balls later took the wicket of Charith Asalanka for one.

Mendis, who was dropped on two by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, survived a reprieve on 29 when he was given caught behind but the delivery from off-spinner Mahedi Hasan turned out to be a no ball.

Ebadot dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka as Sri Lanka slipped to 67-3 and soon 77-4 with