In the first Super 4 of the Asia Cup between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the latter were reduced to 97/4 in 13.4 overs. And by them reaching 130 looked like a tall task for the Charith Asalanka-led side. In came ex-skipper Dasun Shanaka, and truth be told, his average of 19, and poor batting form for the last couple of years, didn’t instill too much confidence, in SL’s redemption.
Dasun Shanaka destroys Bangladesh
But then the 34-year-old went on to score his first fifty in a space of two-and-half years, and 21 innings, to take the team to 168/7 eventually. Dasun Shanaka went on to score 64 from just 37 deliveries that included three fours and six sixes. He also had 57-run partnership with Asalanka, who scored 21 in 12. In addition, his six off Nasum Ahmed went a massive 101m, making it the longest six of the tournament.
Shoriful Islam proves costly
Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed bore the brunt of some clean hitting by Shanaka, who looked in his element. Meanwhile, this was his sixth fifty in 101 innings. On the other hand, Mustafizur Rahman was the most successful bowler as he returned with figures of 3/20 in his four overs.
The highlight of his innings was, Shanaka ended the Lankan innings with a massive six off Taskin, as he anticipated the slower one, and hit it over deep square. The over also fetched a boundary, and 10 runs in all. All this aside, Shanaka showing some batting form could be a great news for the team, whose lower middle-order needed some runs.
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