Press Trust of India
Melbourne, Feb 26: Tillakaratne Dilshan (161 n o, 146b, 22×4) and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara (105 n o, 116b, 13×4, 1×6) hit masterclass centuries to power Sri Lanka to a comfortable 92-run victory over Bangladesh in a Pool-A match of the World Cup here Thursday.
Electing to bat at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sri Lankan openers Lahiru Thirimanne (52, 78b, 3×4) and Dilshan started beautifully against the poor Bangladesh bowling. After the dismissal of Thirimanne, the two veterans Dilshan and Sangakkara put on 210 runs for the second wicket to take their team to a formidable score of 332 for one. The islanders then bowled out Bangladesh for 240 in 47 overs to register their second win in three matches.
Sangakkara became the fourth cricketer to appear in 400 ODIs and he celebrated the momentous occasion reaching his 22nd ODI century in the last over of the innings. He thus joined Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly who both have the same number of tons.
Experienced pace spearhead Lasith Malinga (3/35) the led the bowling unit admirably to complete an all-round display by the runners-up of the previous tournament. Chasing a stiff target, Bangladesh, who have so far failed to make an impression in the mega-event, never looked in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Aggressive opener Tamim Iqbal was out for a duck on the second ball of Bangla innings.
Only Sakib Al Hasan (46, 59b, 4×4, 1×6) and Sabbir Rahman (53, 62b, 7×4) managed to offer some resistance. Malinga was well supported by Suranga L49) and man of the match Dilshan (2/35).
Brief scores: Sri Laka 332/1 (Lahiru Thirimanne 52, Tillakaratne Dilshan 161 n o, Kumar Sangakkara 105 n o) beat Bangladesh 240 (Shakib Al Hasan 46; Lasith Malinga 3/35) by 92 runs.
