Pacemen shape Lankan win

Colombo, August 31:

Fast bowlers Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando shared five wickets as Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by 88 runs in the first one-day international here today. Chasing 270-run target, Bangladesh finished at 181-9. Maharoof grabbed 3-29 and Fernando 2-29 to shape an easy Sri Lankan victory. Leg-spinner Upul Chandana, Sri Lanka’s substitute for Sanath Jayasuriya under the new system, finished with 2-38.

Khaled Mashud was the joint top-scorer with an unbeaten 39 along with left-handed opener Shahriar Nafees. Sri Lanka were indebted to opener Upul Tharanga (60), skipper Marvan Atapattu (55) and man-of-the-match Mahela Jayawardene (50) for setting a stiff target. Sri Lanka’s total always looked beyond reach for Bangladesh, who kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

A minor consolation for Bangladesh was that they managed to last their quota of 50 overs after being reduced to 127-9, thanks to a record 54-run stand for the last wicket between Mashud and Tapash Baisya (22 not out). Sri Lanka made a brisk start as Tharanga and Jayasuriya (25) put on 51 in eight overs.