ODI WC Warm-up: Mehidy Hasan, Tanzid Hasan Star as Bangladesh Defeat Sri Lanka by 7 Wickets

Bangladesh handed Sri Lanka a crushing seven-wicket defeat in their first warm-up match of the ICC ODI World Cup, here on Friday to make a winning start.

Chasing 264, Bangladesh rode on half-centuries from top-order batters Tanzid Hasan (84), Litton Das (61) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (67 not out) to romp home in 42 overs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

READ MORE: Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan Reveal Their Favourites for the Upcoming 2023 ICC ODI World Cup – News18

Hasan cracked 10 fours and two sixes to make a sturdy 84 off 88 balls, while Das hit 10 fours in his 56-ball 61. The two batters added 131 for the opening wicket.

Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 35.

Earlier in the day, opting to bat Sri Lanka were bowled out for 263 in 49.1 overs with Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva scoring fifties.

Opening batter Nissanka added 104 for the first wicket with Kusal Perera (34) but despite getting a strong start, Sri Lanka’s middle-order could not capitalise.

Kusal Perera was forced to walk off the field after a shoulder injury forced him ti retire himself.

Nissanka made his 68 off 64 balls with eight fours and a six, while de Silva took 79 deliveries to score 55 with two fours and a six.

Bangladesh will look to continue their momentum going into their second warm-up game against a tougher opposition in the defending champions, England. The match will take place in Guwahati on October 2, 2023.

READ MORE: ‘Indian Crowd Gave us Lot of Love at Airport, Just Like Our Fans in Pakistan’: Mohammad Rizwan – News18

Bangladesh also were not able to use Shakib-al-Hasan who picked up an injury during training and will miss his services in the final warm-up game as well as the opening fixture against Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka on the other hand will be disappointed with their bowling and their inability to pick wickets at the right moments. However, it is important to note that they were not able to use the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmanatha Chameera, both of whom are ruled out of the World Cup.

The Sri Lankan side will hope that Maheesh Theekshana will return after the spinner picked up a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the Asia Cup final against India.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 263/10 in 49.1 overs (Pathum Nissanka 68, Kusal Perera 34, Dhananjaya de Silva 55; Mahedi Hasan 3/36)

Bangladesh: 264/3 in 42 overs (Tanzid Hasan 84, Litton Das 61, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 67 not out, Mushfiqur Rahim 35 not out; Lahiru Kumara 1/30)

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)