Date:27/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062756301900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Sangakkara takes Lanka to big win

LAHORE: Kumar Sangakkara’s eighth limited-overs century powered defending champion Sri Lanka to a 131-run win against Bangladesh in a Group ‘A’ match of the Asia Cup here on Wednesday.

Sangakkara hit 16 boundaries in his 101 off 91 balls, while Chamara Kapugedera (74) and Sanath Jayasuriya (72) also put up strong batting displays in Sri Lanka’s big total of 357 for nine.

Bangladesh never looked to challenge the experienced bowling attack of Sri Lanka and preferred to play out the 50 overs and was restricted to 226 for seven.

Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for Bangladesh with 44, while Mashrafe Mortaza remained unbeaten on 34.

Despite the defeat, Bangladesh is expected to advance to the Super Four stage after its win over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka: (for nine wkts. in 50 overs) 357.

Bangladesh: T. Iqbal b Kulasekera 28, Nazimuddin c Sangakkara b Vaas 1, M. Ashraful c Sangakkara b Fernando 8, R. Hasan st. Sangakkara b Muralitharan 35, M. Rahim c & b Muralitharan 44, A. Kapali c Jayasuriya b Silva 30, M. Riyad b Jayasuriya 4, M. Mortaza (not out) 34, A. Razzak (not out) 22; Extras: (b-4, lb-6, nb-2, w-8) 20; Total (for seven wkts. in 50 overs) 226.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-35, 3-48, 4-126, 5-135, 6-142, 7-177.

Sri Lanka bowling: Vaas 6-1-16-1, Kulasekera 7-0-33-1, Fernando 8-0-53-1, Mendis 10-1-34-0, Muralitharan 10-0-37-2, Jayasuriya 5-0-22-1, Silva 4-1-21-1.