🏏Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka : Super 4 Match 2, Asia Cup 2023 at 3PM🏏 - Page 37

Here's what Samarawickrama has to say: "When I went to bat it was not easy at all. We really struggled to get runs but Pathum and Kusal gave us a good start. I just wanted to go there and rotate strike and keep the momentum for the side. It was really hard to play shots so I planned to play late. I think spinners were more challenging. I think the past few days it was raining so the wicket was raining so that's the reason it's a bit slow. Really happy [with the score]. It's not a 280-300 kind of a pitch."

Originally posted by: kooki07

Well he played really well .

Yes he did... SL15 runs short but still should be an interesting second inning

6.45pm A whirlwind knock from Samarawickrama, who raced away to a career best 72-ball 93 has helped Sri Lanka power through to 257. It seemed to be a slow pitch and even though it was the Bangladesh pacers who did all the damage, it was hard to get the spinners away. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud took three each, while Shoriful chipped in with two crucial wickets in consecutive overs to get rid of the well set Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Sri Lanka looked in trouble at that point, but Samarawickrama's knock ensured Sri Lanka go into the break with the momentum.

Samarawickrama's superb effort takes Sri Lanka to 257. "Not easy at all," he says about the surface. But he still looked so fluent and ended up with 93 off just 72 balls, batting on a different level compared to his teammates who struggled to get going. For Bangladesh, it was their pacers who made the inroads, while spinners kept things very tight. The skiddy Hasan Mahmud was very impressive, while it was Shoriful who turned the tide with the wickets of Nissanka and Mendis in back to back overs. It was then that Samarawickrama came to the middle and batted beautifully. Will his efforts be enough though? The pitch is a bit two paced, but will it get easier under lights?

Samarawickrama's superb effort takes Sri Lanka to 257. "Not easy at all," he says about the surface. But he still looked so fluent and ended up with 93 off just 72 balls, batting on a different level compared to his teammates who struggled to get going. For Bangladesh, it was their pacers who made the inroads, while spinners kept things very tight. The skiddy Hasan Mahmud was very impressive, while it was Shoriful who turned the tide with the wickets of Nissanka and Mendis in back to back overs. It was then that Samarawickrama came to the middle and batted beautifully. Will his efforts be enough though? The pitch is a bit two paced, but will it get easier under lights? Join us after the break.

Sadeera Samarawickrama - It was not easy at all, we struggled to get going, Pathum and Kusal gave us a good strike. I wanted to rotate strike, it was a hard wicket to play, I had to play as late as possible. The wicket is holding a bit and it is difficult to hit the spinners. It was raining and the wicket was covered, it became slower and slower. Happy with the score on the board, this is as good as getting to 280-300 on a normal track

7.02pm Welcome back folks! We're a short while away from the start of the chase. Sadeera was very happy with that score, what does everyone else think?

Babar Shafi certainly not sitting on the fence: "I thinks Lankans are approx 20 runs short. Best of luck"

L

We also know which side Kamrul lands on: "Against an out-of-form Bangladesh batting on a slow pitch, Samaraweera surely have made the winning total for Srilanka."

Ahid: "So my first prediction of SL score between 245-260 is correct one. Hopefully, BD will win by 3 wickets with 1 over to spare."