Dilshan masterminds easy victory against Tigers

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Mohammad Ashraful brings up his half-century.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (104) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (74) made things look too easy as they strolled to a cakewalk seven wickets win over Bangladesh in the inaugural day-night match of the Tri-Nation Idea Cup 2010 at Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in the city Monday, reports BSS.
Earlier, Bangladesh batsmen led by Mohammad Ashraful's defiant 75 post a healthy 260 for 7 against fancied Sri Lanka in the inaugural ODI day-night match of the Tri-Nation Idea Cup 2010.
Despite a good opening platform, Tigers lost their way losing four quick wickets but the former national skipper was there to play workmanlike innings as Bangladesh found their way back to score a decent score from where their bowlers would have some chance to rattle the Lankan batsmen as the strip looks pretty good for batting.
South paw openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes set the ball rolling with determined 65 partnership for the first wicket stand with the Tiger's first fifty coming off 10.2 overs with a promise of more to come. But once again Sri Lankans showed their experience not to panic as Bangladesh batters pressed the panic buttons showing their impetuous of not occupying the wicket for longer period. Tigers to the dismay of the partisan crowd lost four wickets with the addition of nine runs.
The rot started when Imrul Kayes (23) top edged a short delivery from Nuwan Kulasekara from off stump and Thilan Samaraweera took a fine running catch. Tamim(40 off 46 balls) paid for playing too many shots trying to jump on Tillakaratne Dilshan delivering only to lob a sitter at mid-off.
Mushfiqur and Ashraful stopped the rot with an important 58 runs for the fifth wicket partnership as Bangladesh staged a recovery with a promise of total beyond 240 mark.
Mushfiqur Rahim in a bid to accelerate was trapped lbw while trying to sweep Suraj Randiv for 35 off 52 balls.
Ashraful changed his gear as the runs started to flow as the power play was taken at the slog overs.
Both Mahmudullah Riyad and Ashraful entertained the crowd with some lusty hitting as runs came in quick succession.
When Ashraful departed for his belligerent 75 coming off 94 deliveries studded with six boundaries while Mahmudullah scored a cameo 45 off 47 balls .
In the end it was Naeem Islam who made sure Tigers score go past 250 with quick fire 22 not out off nine balls with two towering sixers off Lakmal.
Lakmal with 2 for 63 and S Randiv with 2 for 51 were the leading wicket takers for Lankans.
Sri Lanka 261 for 3 (Dilshan 104, Sangakkara 74) beat for Bangladesh 260 for 7 (Ashraful 75, Mahmudullah 45) by seven wickets.
Today's (Tuesday's) Match : India v Sri Lanka at Shere Bangla National Stadium.