Melbourne, Feb 26 (IANS) Powered by centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka reached a mammoth total of 332 for the loss of only one wicket in a World Cup Pool A clash against Bangladesh at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Thursday.
Incredibly, the 1996 editions champions scored the monumental total with just one six in their innings, coming from the bat of Sangakkara (105 not out), who scored his 22nd hundred and also his fastest in his 400th One-Day International (ODI). The left-hander became the fourth batsman in history to reach 400 ODIs, behind Sachin Tendulkar (463), Sanath Jayasurya (445) and Mahela Jayawardene (444).
However, Dilshan, who scored his 21st century and highest ODI score, played the anchor's knock with an unbeaten innings of 161, which is now also the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in World Cup, going past the legendary Aravinda de Silva's 145, which he scored against Kenya in 1996. This is also the highest individual score without a sixer in ODIs.
The Sri Lanka batsmen pulverised the Bangladeshi bowlers right from the start, who appeared totally clueless in how to tackle the experienced Lankan line-up.
To add salt to the wounds, Bangladesh's slip-shod fielding also did not help. Bangladesh's ground fielding, backing-up and catching was horrendous and did not look as if they are a Test playing nation.
It was a perfect toss to win for Sri Lanka as openers Lahiru Thirimanne (52) and Dilshan started strongly to strike a 122-run first-wicket partnership.
Thirimanne's wicket was the only success for Bangladesh in the first session as it was a pure Sri Lanka show thereon as Dilshan and Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 210-run partnership which also turned out to be Sri Lanka's highest second-wicket partnership, breaking their own record of 200 against India in 2012.
Dilshan hammered 22 boundaries in his 146-ball knock while Sangakkara smashed 13 fours and the lone six in his 76-ball innings.
The Bangladeshi bowlers did not have much to boast about as they also gave away 14 extras to skipper Mashrafe Mortaza's dismay.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 332/1 in 50 overs (Tillakaratne Dilshan 161 not out, Kumar Sangakkara 105 not out) vs Bangladesh.
Wrestlers Protest: Will the movement of wrestlers end soon? The central government took this step
The government has once again invited the wrestlers agitating against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh for talks. Union Minister Anurag Thakur has given
Pained by farmers woes: Modi
New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was pained by the sufferings of the farmers and farm workers and vowed to take steps to make his government sensitive
Know- America has turned its eyes and warned about which Iranian weapon is being used in Ukraine
Tensions between the US and Iran are visible after the disclosure of the secret nexus between Russia and Iran in the Ukraine war. America has also had an old feud with these two countries. Talking
Threat of attack on Taiwan: Expert said - China will attack Taiwan as soon as it is capable of defeating America
China has become a big trader, but it does not have dollars and western bonds. The average age of China's population is also increasing rapidly. The day President Jinping feels that he can defeat
The peasant movement is getting colder: India is closed today but not the discussion as it was in January, farmer leaders changed strategy
Farmers who have been agitating for four months have declared Bharat Bandh today. But the way people were interested in the issue of farmers till the beginning of January or February, it is no longer
Amitabh raised questions on civil liberties: Mamta said – it takes courage to say so; BJP said – maximum violence took place in Bengal only
Controversy has arisen over a statement by superstar Amitabh Bachchan amidst the ongoing controversy over the Bollywood film Pathan. Controversy has started over his statement given on Thursday
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia missing from the list of US security allies; The biggest challenge told to China
The US has not mentioned Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in its list of security allies for the year 2022. These two countries were once key allies in the US national security strategy. According to the
Khalistan supporter Amritpal threatened Home Minister in gestures: Indira Gandhi pressed, what was the result; Amit shah also fulfilled his wish and see
Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh has threatened Home Minister Amit Shah in gestures. Amritpal said on Sunday in Budhsingh Wala village of Moga district of Punjab – Indira also tried to
37th day of the attack on Ukraine: Russia's insistence to save the economy, said - gas will have to be paid in rubles only, Germany canceled the agreement in protest
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues for the 36th day. Now President Vladimir Putin has signed the order, according to which from today foreign buyers will have to pay for gas in rubles only.
Corona in Uttarakhand: Double mutant virus confirmed in Dehradun, samples were sent to Delhi in March
The coronavirus is taking a fatal form in Uttarakhand. The double mutant virus has been confirmed in Dehradun amid the second wave of Corona. It has confirmed UK strains in two samples and other
