Upul Tharanga hits century in Sri Lanka's 302 against Bangladesh

Mohali, Oct 7 (UNI) Upul Tharanga led the charge blasting a whirlwind 105 as Sri Lanka piled up 302 for 8 in 50 overs against Bangaldesh in the qualifying round match of the Cricket Champions Trophy here this evening.

Habib-ul-Bashar won the toss but surprised every body as he elected to field on a perfect batting pitch. It was a defensive decision as he seemed to be influenced by the dew factor and the fear of slippery ball for his bowlers. He in a way gifted Sri Lanka a chance to set up a challenging target which the islanders did.

Bangladesh pacers Mashrafee Mortaza and Syed Rasel did swing the ball and beat the openers but never found the edge.

Sri Lankan batsmen were too experienced for them and managed to negotiate the bowling with ease.

The Lanka innings was build systematically by their top order as the first four wicket partnerships put up more than 50 runs each.

Twentyone-year-old 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 which was studded with five fours.

Mahela Jayawardene then gave a solid support to his young teammate and the two put on 63 runs in 8.5 overs before the Lankan skipper lost his focus and miscued a shot to be caught at short midwicket by Aftab Ahmed off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak.

Jayawardne'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.

Wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakara joined Tharanga and two kept the scoreboard moving. Tharanga was in superb form as he hit the bowlers all over the park.

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 wicketkeeper contributed 22 runs which he made off 23 balls while hitting one boundary.

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 one 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 being 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 Tharanga, 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 43rd and 47th 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.

Abdur Razzak was the most economical bowler as he conceded only 49 runs off his 10 overs claimimng two wickets. Pacer Rasel also took two wickets but gave away 65 runs.

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