Asia Cup 2023: Watch - Taskin Ahmed castles Dimuth Karunaratne with an absolute peach of a delivery

Taskin Ahmed got better of Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne.

Bangladesh needed early wickets to get back in their opening game against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Bangladesh’s strike bowler Taskin Ahmed was at his brutal best in his opening spell against Sri Lankan batters and helped build momentum for his team. Taskin Ahmed castled in-form Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne in his second over of the innings to put Sri Lanka on the back foot. Batting first, Bangladesh were bundled out for 164 runs in the first innings. Malinga 2.0’s Matheesha Pathirana picked up four wickets to rattle Bangladesh’s middle-order and tail.

Taskin Ahmed got Dimuth Karunaratne

Taskin Ahmed, in his second over, bowled a magnificent outswinger to give Bangladesh an early breakthrough in the chase. Taskin Ahmed, with his pace and movement of the wicket due to heavy weather conditions at Pallekele, deceived Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne on just one run. Dimuth Karunaratne has been a prolific run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the one-day international format this year. Taskin’s wicket allowed Bangladesh to control the Sri Lankan power play and get Sri Lanka on the back foot in a low run-chase game.

Soon in the next over, left-arm pace bowler Shoriful Islam got Karunaratne’s opening partner Pathum Nissanka on just 14 runs. Nissanka was trying to play a drive-through cover to Shoriful but got a big outside edge. Mushfiqur Rahim was quick enough to dive to his right and send Nissanka back onto the pavilion. Sri Lanka, after losing two wickets in two overs, failed to get off to the desired start, chasing 165 runs. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam kept things tight in the power play, and Sri Lanka lost three wickets in the first 10 overs.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat against Sri Lanka at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Bangladesh’s batting also collapsed in bowling-friendly conditions. Bangladesh’s number three, Najmul Hasan Shanto, was the top scorer with his 89-runs knock. Apart from Shanto, no other batter could stay for long at the crease as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Matheesa Pathirana picked up four wickets in his spell, while off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana got two under his name.

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