GUWAHATI, Sep 29: Bangladesh handed Sri Lanka a crushing seven-wicket defeat in their first warm-up match of the ICC ODI World Cup, here on Friday to make a winning start.
Chasing 264, Bangladesh rode on half-centuries from top-order batters Tanzid Hasan (84), Litton Das (61) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (67 not out) to romp home in 42 overs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Hasan cracked 10 fours and two sixes to make a sturdy 84 off 88 balls, while Das hit 10 fours in his 56-ball 61. The two batters added 131 for the opening wicket.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 35.
Earlier in the day, opting to bat Sri Lanka were bowled out for 263 in 49.1 overs with Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva scoring fifties.
Opening batter Nissanka added 104 for the first wicket with Kusal Perera (34) but despite getting a strong start, Sri Lanka’s middle-order could not capitalise.
Nissanka made his 68 off 64 balls with eight fours and a six, while de Silva took 79 deliveries to score 55 with two fours and a six.
Williamsaon shows class
Kane Williamson showed his class in his first competitive outing in six months while Rachin Ravindra sizzled at the top of the order as New Zealand gunned down a 346-run target in their opening World Cup warm-up game against Pakistan here on Friday.
Barring the openers, Pakistan batters including Mohammad Rizwan (103 retired hurt off 91), Babar Azam (80 off 84) and Saud Shaukeel (75 off 53) had a good hit in the middle, helping their team post a daunting 345 for five in 50 overs.
New Zealand cruised to the target in 43.4 overs with contributions from Ravindra (97 off 72), Williamson (54 off 50), Daryl Mitchell (59 retired hurt off 57) and Mark Chapman (65 not out off 41).
With the focus firmly on managing players’ workload ahead of the main competition, Williamson walked back into the dressing room after scoring a sublime half-century.
Williamson, who continues his knee rehabilitation from the injury, only came out to bat on Friday and will not be part of the World Cup opener against England on October 5.
However, considering the way he batted against the Pakistan attack, it certainly seemed he was ready on the batting front if not the other areas of the game.
A couple of back foot punches in the cover region off a seriously quick Rauf showed that Williamson was very much close to his best.
Ravindra at the other end pretty much dealt in boundaries with his first 24 runs coming off only fours. His entertaining innings comprised 16 fours and a six.
While the majority of the Pakistan batters would be pleased with their efforts, the bowlers have plenty to worry about. (PTI)
