Pathirana grabs four as Bangladesh fold for 164 despite Shanto's 89
Written by I Dig Sports42.4 overs Bangladesh 164 (Shanto 89, Pathirana 4-32, Theekshana 2-19) vs Sri Lanka
This was crucial, as in the absence of the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka were one strike bowler short. But on a sometimes-two-paced Pallekele surface, Sri Lanka's bowlers stuck to good lines and lengths and never really allowed the Bangladesh batters to get on top for any significant length of time.
Theekshana started things off by trapping debutant Tanzid Hasan lbw in just the second over of the game. With the innings off to a crawling start, Mohammed Naim fell next, getting a leading edge while swiping across the line against Dhananjaya. Shakib Al Hasan was gloved behind off Pathirana in the 11th over to leave Bangladesh reeling on 36 for 3.
Once Mushfiqur departed, not a single other Bangladeshi batter was able to keep Shanto company as Pathirana and Theekshana ran through the lower order. Apart from Shanto, only Hridoy managed to reach 20, while only two other batters reached double digits.