Dhaka: Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by 23 runs in the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.
Sabbir Rahman struck a polished 80 off 54 balls as Bangladesh posted 147 for seven before restricting Sri Lanka to 124/8 for their first win over the islanders in this format.
The win, Bangladesh’s second in three matches of the tournament, kept the hosts firmly in the race for a place in the final on March 6.
They will face Pakistan in their last league match on March 2. Earlier, Sri Lanka reduced Bangladesh to a precarious 2/2 before Rahman imposed himself to steer Bangladesh to a challenging total.
During his innings he was involved in a mix-up with Mushfiqur Rahim that resulted in a run-out leaving Bangladesh at 26/3.
Shakib Al Hasan scored 32 to give Rahman handy support as they combined for an 82-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Rahman survived a close call when on 46 as Kapugedara failed to hold on to a catch on the boundary rope.
