BSP-12 Perera ton leads Sri Lanka to 286-6 against Tigers

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Perera ton leads Sri Lanka to 286-6 against Tigers

DHAKA, May 28, 2021 (BSS) – Sri Lanka raised the hope of avoiding a whitewash in three-match ODI series against Bangladesh after compiling a respectable 286-6 in the third and final match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Captain Kusal Perera led from the front, notching up his sixth ODI century but was lucky to have survived thrice, thanks to Bangladesh’s sloppy fielding.

Perera who struck 120 off 122, clobbering 11 fours and one six, got life on 66, 79 and 99 before rallying the side to a big total.

Bangladesh’s highest successful chase against Sri Lanka is 273, which came in 2006. It means, Bangladesh would have to rewrite the record if they want to fulfil their aspiration of inflicting whitewash on Sri Lanka.

After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka made a flying start with Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka adding 82 runs for the opening stand.

Taskin Ahmed who was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with 4-46 in nine overs gave the side some control with a double strike, removing Gunathilaka for 39 and Pathum Nissanka for 0.

But Perera remained untroubled even though Taskin operated with high pace and maintained nice line and length.

Perera reached his 50 off 44 balls, driving Taskin to sweeper cover for single and grew with more confidence.

Kusal Mendis’ calm presence at the other end and the butter-fingered Bangladesh fielders also helped him to come hard on the bowlers.

Left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan could have got him twice but Mustafizur Rahman put down a catch at short third man and later Afif Hossain shelled a sitter at long on.

However, as Perera looked nervy on his 99, Mustafizur got the better of him but Mahmudullah missed another chance at mid-on.

Perera then clipped Mustafizur through leg side for single to complete his deserving century off 99 balls.

Taskin meantime claimed the wicket of Mendis for 22, with a slower delivery, ending a 59-run partnership between him and Perera.

Pacer Shoriful Islam, who was wayward in his first spell, came back strongly in second spell to take the wicket of Perera with a back of length delivery.

Bangladesh bowlers then regrouped well to stem the run flow as Sri Lanka appeared to go past 300 runs.

The Bangladeshi bowlers utilized the slower delivery to good effect, preventing Lankan batsmen to make carnage in the death overs.

But, Dhananjaya de Silva earned some boundaries towards the death to help the side post a good total. He was not out on 55 off 70, hitting four fours.

Apart from Taskin’s four for 46, Shoriful took one for 56.

BSS/SMP/SSS/1741 hrs