Bangladesh set 321 runs target for Sri Lanka

Sports Desk: Bangladesh, thanks to Tamim Iqbal's 84 runs, have set a target of 321 runs for Sri Lanka in the third match of the Tri-Nations Series.

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first in the match at the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday. The match started at 12:00pm.

Opener Tamim Iqbal posted 84 to reach a career total of 11,000 runs, while Shakib Al Hasan scored 67 to reach the 10,000 milestone. Mushfiqur Rahim scored 62 runs off 52 balls.

Thisara Perera took three wickets for 60 while Pradeep two for 66, while Dananjaya and Gunaratne picked up a wicket each.

Bangladesh look to affirm their place at the top of the Tri-Nations table with a second win, while Sri Lanka chase redemption after a surprise loss to Zimbabwe.

Friday's game is the first encounter between Chandika Hathurusingha’s current and former teams since his resignation as head coach of Bangladesh.

Before the match, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza said the wicket suggested a high scoring match and that Bangladesh’s chances hinged on the performance of its pacers.

Sri Lankan limited overs captain Angelo Mathews was sidelined from the match with a hamstring injury.

Bangladesh coasted to an eight-wicket win in the opening match of the series against Zimbabwe on Jan 15. But the African team scored a thrilling upset on Wednesday, beating Sri Lanka by 12 runs in their first win against a Full ICC Member at a neutral venue in 15 years.

risingbd/Dhaka/January 19, 2018/A K Azad