The only time when the teams were on par was during the toss. Once the coin fell in favour of the hosts, it was a one-horse race.
Sri Lanka took a confident step towards the final of the Asia Cup with an authoritative 126-run win over Bangladesh here on Friday. After registering the highest score at t
his venue, 312/4, Sri Lanka put in a clinical display on the field to bundle Bangladesh out for 186 to win with a bonus point and take their tally to nine. Only a rare mathematical possibility can stop Lanka from making the summit clash.
Chasing a stiff target, Bangladesh could not make the field restrictions count. Tamim Iqbal started confidently but failed to receive any meaningful support to further the cause. Junaid Siddique struck a massive six of Muttiah Muralitharan before falling to the veteran. Tillakaratne Dilshan had Tamim stumped and even the academic interest died from there on.
Earlier, the first 30 minutes of the Lankan innings went at breakneck speed. Upul Tharanga was subdued but Dilshan went into all-out attack. Team batting records looked under serious threat as the first 10 overs were pummelled for 82 without loss.Lanka could have gained more by opting for the power play when Dilshan was in supreme nick. It was finally taken between overs 36-40 that ushered in 42 runs for the loss of two wickets.
Scores: Sri Lanka 312/4 in 50 overs (Dilshan 71, Tharanga 54, Sangakkara 52; Shafiul 2/59) bt Bangladesh 186 in 40.2 overs (Iqbal 51; Dilshan 3/37)