Sri Lanka outlast Bangaldesh, wins the opening match by 37 runs

Mohali, Oct 7 (UNI) Former World cup holders Sri Lanka outlasted minnows Bangladesh to cruise to a 37-run win in their opening qualifying round match of the Cricket Champions Trophy here tonight.

Habibul Bashar gifted away the advantage of the toss when he decided to field, and the Bengal Tigers though they recorded their highest score against Sri Lanka, never got over that setback Sri Lanka put to bat piled up 302 for eight in 50 overs, with opener Upal Tharanga leading the charge scoring quickfire 102. In reply Bangladesh scored 265 for 9.

Bangladesh's previous highest against Sri Lanka was 231 Almost all of Mahela Jayawardene's bowlers shared in the spoils.

With Fervez Mahroof bagging the most (3 for47). Wicket Keeper Kumar Sangakkara added to the woes of the Tigers with a hand in four dismissals.

There was also the statistical achievement of Muttiah Muralitharan moving into second place on the all-time list of ODI wicket-takers with his 417th scalp in his 277th game ahead of Pakistan pace ace Waqar Younis (416 in 262). Only Wasim Akram with 502 wickets in 356 matches remains ahead of the wily Sri Lankan tweaker.

Bangladesh desperately needed to start well, but Sangakkara's first take was a stupendous full-length catch to send back Shahriyar Nafees off Chaminda Vaas. It set the trend and it was a professional, frills-free effort from the islanders for most of the way.

There were some sparkling efforts from Bangladesh batsmen with Saqib-al-Hasan scoring his maiden half century. He remained unbeaten on 67 (7x4,107 balls), Aftab Ahmed's 31-ball 33, Farhard Reza's 34 from 31 balls - but the Tigers were simply unable to cope with the task of chasing at six-plus runs an over for the full distance.

For Bangladesh, who have yet to win a match in the Champions trophy, this was their 134 ODI, and they have only 20 victories to show. This was also their 18th one dayer against the Sri Lankans and their defeat tally against the Islanders mounted to 17 tonight.

Earlier, Sri Lanka were powered to their imposing total by opener Upul Tharanga's fifth career ODI century, and consistent partnerships up the order.

Having given away the advantage of the toss, Bashar needed his bowlers to be spot on but other than Mashrafe Mortaza early on, and thereafter left-arm spinners Mohammad Rafique (1/37) and Abdur Razzak (2/49), they could not respond to the task.

The Lanka inning was build systematically by their top order as the first four wicket partnerships were more than 50 runs each. 21-year-old Upal Tharanga, playing his 30th one dayer, displayed tremendous concentration and confidence and along with experienced Sanath Jayasuriya put up 67 runs for the first wicket in 13.1 overs. Jayasuriya was looking set for a big score but Rasel trapped him leg before and he departed with his individual score of 31 ( 5x4) Mahela Jayewardene gave a solid support to his young teammate and the two put on 63 runs in 8.5 overs before the Sri Lankan skipper lost his focus and miscued a shot to be caught at short midwicket by Aftab Ahmed off left arm spinner Abdur Razzak .

Jayewardne's 35 came off only 24 balls and were studded with a six and six boundaries. He lofted Abdur Razzak for a huge six over fine leg but the spinner had the last laugh.

Wicket keeper K Sangakara joined Upal Tharanga and two kept the scoreboard moving. Tharanga was in superb form as he hit the bowlers all over the ground.

Bangladesh Skipper kept on changing the bowlers from both the ends but they just did not had the wherewithal to stop the marauding Sri Lankan batsmen.

Sri Lankans lost their third wicket when the score was 193 as Sangakkara trying to lift Mohd Raffique was caught at mid on by Mortaza. The wicket keeper contributed 22 runs which he made off 23 balls while hitting one boundary.

Upal Tharanga on the other end batted without any tension and struck his fifth century, to become the first player in the ODI history to have scored five centuries in 30 matches, but after reaching the milestone he did not last long and was clean bowled by Mortaza.

Tharanga's 105 came off 129 balls and included 1 six and 11 boundaries. He in the process also crossed 1000 run mark and became the second Sri Lankan to score the fastest 1000 runs. The first was Roy Dias who crossed 1000 run mark in 29 matches. Overall he is the 20th Sri Lankan to have scored over 1000 runs.

At the departure of Upal, Sri Lanka were 244 for 4 off 42.5 overs and the former Joint winners looked all set for a massive total.

However, Bangaldesh bowlers were able to contain the run rate between 43 to 47 overs in which they gave away only 27 runs while claiming two more wickets but in the last three overs Sri Lankan tailenders managed to add 31 runs to take the total to 302 for eight.

UNI