Asia Cup: Nervy Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in Super Fours

The Tigers put Sri Lanka into bat first and they were off smartly, collecting 53 for one wicket in the powerplay. Bangladeshi tweaker Mahedi Hasan brought them back into the contest, dismissing opener Kusal Mendis 34 (off 25 balls) and then Kamil Mishara 5 (11) in consecutive overs.

Dasun Shanaka's promotion to five in the order proved fruitful. His fiery 64 not out off 37 backed up the efforts at the top of the order to propel Sri Lanka to a decent total of 168/7 in their allotment. Mustafizer Rahman was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3/20.

In reply, Bangladesh were in trouble when Tanzid Hasan walked down the track but missed a straight one from seamer Nuwan Thushara, leaving them 1-1 after the first over.

But Saif Hassan - who would top score with 61 - led the charge. The Bangladeshi opener partnered nicely with captain Litton Das to bludgeon 59 runs off 34 balls together, steadily taking the game away from Sri Lanka. 

Das 23 (16) fell in the seventh over, which brought Towhid Hridoy to the crease, who continued in the same vein. He and Saif added 45 off 27, but when Saif top-edged Wanindu Hasaranga, there was a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka.

A nervy finish saw Bangladesh lose three wickets in the last nine balls, but with just five needed off the last over, Nasum Ahmed got them across the line with one ball to spare.  

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