A remarkable combined effort from Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan has fired Bangladesh to a commanding 90-run win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI.
Tamim smashed 127 while Shakib cracked 72, knocking up 144 together in 23.4 overs in the fourth wicket which helped the Tigers post a massive 324 for 5, their highest total against the hosts.
The pair fashioned capitalised on the opener’s 90-run partnership with Sabbir Rahman (54) before Mosaddek Hossain played a gem of an innings to push Bangladesh to their third highest ODI total, after 329 and 326 against Pakistan at home.
The bowlers, led by skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, then put Sri Lanka’s top order to the sword with early wickets.
With the Sri Lankan chase in shambles on 31 for 3, Dinesh Chandimal struck a valiant 59 before Thisara Perera 55-run late cameo cut the margin of defeat to less than 100.
Teenaged offspinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz impressed on debut by grabbing two wickets which helped Bangladesh bowl Sri Lanka out for 234 to clinch advantage in the three-match series.
The Bangladesh batsmen exploited some poor show in the field from Sri Lanka, punishing them for inconsistent bowling from either end.
The Tigers blasted 109 runs from the last 10 overs to post their highest total against Sri Lanka and the fourth highest total against them in their backyard.
Mosaddek Hossain (24) and Mahmudullah (13) hammered 35 in the last 13 balls to put icing on the top of a mature batting display.
