SL beat India in nail-biting finish

28 February 2014 04:00 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka beat India by two wickets in their Asia Cup 2014 match played at Fatullah Bangladesh today. Sri Lanka have now won both their games in tournament, following Tuesday’s 12-run win against Pakistan.

Kumar Sangakkara hit a brilliant 103 as Sri Lanka survived anxious moments to overcome India by two wickets in a thrilling last-over finish, securing their second win in the Asia Cup.

The victory was set up by spinners Ajantha Mendis and Sachithra Senanayake, who shared seven wickets to restrict the reigning world champions to 264-9 in the day-night match in Fatullah.

But Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 216-7 in the 44th over when Thisara Perera helped Sangakkara add 42 crucial runs for the eighth wicket.

Left-handed Sangakkara, who hit 12 boundaries and a six in his 18th one-day century, fell in the penultimate over when just seven runs were needed for victory.

But Mendis and Perera saw Sri Lanka through with four deliveries to spare in a nail-biting finish, giving their team a second win after they beat Pakistan in the tournament opener.

India, who won against Bangladesh, must defeat arch-rivals Pakistan in Dhaka on Sunday to stay in contention for a place in the final.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 94 as India, sent in to bat, moved to 175-2 in 35 overs before losing five wickets for 40 runs to slide to 215-7.

Big hitting by the lower order, including two sixes by last man Mohammed Shami off Mendis, lifted India past the 250-run mark.

Mendis, who replaced seamer Suranga Lakmal for the match, justified his selection with four for 60, including the key scalps of Dhawan and stand-in captain Virat Kohli.

Off-spinner Senanayake finished with his best one-day figures of three for 41 as the Indians struggled against the turning ball on the slow wicket.

Kohli, leading India in the absence of the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni, put on 97 for the second wicket with Dhawan after Rohit Sharma had been trapped leg-before by Senanayake for 13.

Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne gave Sri Lanka a flying start with an 80-run partnership for the first wicket by the 18th over.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed both openers, trapping Thirimanne leg-before for 38 and then having Kusal Perera caught behind for 64.

India bounced back strongly when left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal with consecutive deliveries to reduce Sri Lanka to 148-4 in the 32nd over.

Seamer Mohammad Shami, who conceded 42 runs in his first six overs, returned for a spell and trapped skipper Angelo Mathews leg-before with his second ball.

Shami also had Senanayake caught at mid-wicket and Jadeja had Chaturanga de Silva leg-before as Sri Lanka slumped to 216-7.(AFP)

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Comments - 11

ANTON Saturday, 01 March 2014 03:08 AM

THANKS FOR MISSED CATCHES, I BIT MY FINGER ALSO.

N,T.M. MOHINUDEEN Saturday, 01 March 2014 03:49 AM

It was a fantastic win by our boys. Congratulations. Hope the boys will lift the cup this time. It was very good cricket lesson given to unsporty Kohli and gang. Well done Sri Lanka. I really enjoyed my dinner after the win.

jim pappa Saturday, 01 March 2014 04:11 AM

Congratulations ! Warning to viewers : Sri Lankan limited-overs cricket may cause heart attacks. Watch lightly and sparingly, if possible.

Avatar Saturday, 01 March 2014 04:18 AM

Congratulations Sri Lanka and well done Sanga-so coooool as always. But the best thing about the win for me is the slap in the face of Kholi!!!

Sammy Saturday, 01 March 2014 04:23 AM

Well deserved victory in a very exciting match. Congrats and SL deserve to win the Asia Cup as the have got the most balanced and experienced side in the tournament.

Anfaz Saturday, 01 March 2014 10:02 AM

Hats off to our Lankan Heroes for displaying great sportsmanship in gentlemen's style. via DM Android App

Gamarala Saturday, 01 March 2014 05:33 AM

Good show Sri Lanka.

Mohamed Azmi Saturday, 01 March 2014 07:09 AM

Stylish Sangakkara guides Sri Lanka to dramatic victory
Congratulations to All

Shamil Saturday, 01 March 2014 06:33 PM

Well yah, I think there is no politics behind this match via DM Android App

Mohamed Saturday, 01 March 2014 06:35 PM

Hats off to SANGA (Trinitian). via DM Android App

jayantha Saturday, 01 March 2014 03:36 PM

It was a need of the time to win this match.

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SL beat India in nail-biting finish

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