An 86-run partnership between Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa powered Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win vs Bangladesh in their opening T20 World Cup Super 12 match in Sharjah on Sunday. 

Chasing a 172-run target, Asalanka scored an unbeaten 80 from 49 deliveries with Rajapaksa smashing 53 from 31 as the ‘Lanka Lions’ got their fourth consecutive win at the showpiece event. 

Sri Lanka suffered a mid-innings mini batting collapse but recovered in time to get over the line with seven balls to spare. 

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Asalanka, the 24-year-old who has played just eight ODIs and four T20Is before today, held the Sri Lanka innings together, hitting five fours and as many sixes in his unbeaten knock.

Coming in the 10th over, the 30-year-old Rajapaksa smashed three fours and as many sixes in his 31-ball innings as he added 86 runs in just 8.4 overs with Asalanka for the fifth wicket. 

Bangladesh will be disappointed with their shoddy fielding as Litton Das dropped regulation catches of both Rajapaksa and Asalanka.

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Bangladesh got the breakthrough in the very first over of the innings as left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed got rid of opener Kusal Perera (1). However, Sri Lanka were still on the ascendency with Asalanka getting the boundaries with ease. 

But Shakib Al Hasan triggered a mini batting collapse with two wickets – that of Pathum Nissanka (24) and Avishka Fernando (0) – in four balls. Mohammad Saifuddin then dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga (6) as Sri Lanka lost three wickets in 10 balls for the addition of nine runs.

Asalanka and Rajapaksa took control of proceedings from there on to ensure the islanders maintained their excellent form in the World Cup so far. 

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Earlier, opener Mohammad Naim and Mushfiqur Rahim cracked impressive half centuries to steer Bangladesh to a competitive 171 for four.

Joining forces in the eighth over when their side was struggling at 56 for two, Naim and Rahim stitched a quick 73-run stand in 8.3 overs to keep the momentum going.

Naim hit six boundaries in his 52-ball 62-run knock while Rahim remained unbeaten on 57 from 37 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.