T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka produce stunning run chase to beat Bangladesh

 

           

Sri Lanka produced a stunning run chase to beat Bangladesh by five wickets in their first Men's T20 World Cup Super 12s match.

Chasing 172, Sri Lanka slipped to 79-4 before Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 80 and Bhanuka Rajapaksa's aggressive 53 from 31 balls put them on top.

Their 86-run stand helped Sri Lanka secure victory in front of a lively crowd in Sharjah.

Bangladesh had earlier posted 171-4 from their 20 overs.

After two low-scoring games in front of half-full stands, this was the match that made the tournament come alive.

Mushfiqur Rahim's 67 and 62 from Mohammad Naim had helped Bangladesh post an imposing total.

But Asalanka, arriving with his side 2-1, played aggressively from the start, while Rajapaksa's big hitting swung things Sri Lanka's way.

Both players were dropped by Liton Das as Bangladesh faltered, with Sri Lanka winning with seven balls to spare.