Asia Cup: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh, advance to Super 4

Sri Lanka, on Thursday made their way through to the Super 4 of Asia Cup 2022. The Islanders defeated Bangladesh by two wickets in a Group B clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh made as many as three changes in their eleven after a disappointing show against Afghanistan a couple of days ago. They dropped their openers Mohammad Naim Sheikh and Anamul Haque Bijoy and replaced them with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Although Sabbir got out on five, Mehidy kept the charge going with a quick-fire 26-ball 38. Shakib Al Hasan scored 24 runs and became the second Bangladesh batter to score 6000 T20 runs. With Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan having already exhausted Mustafizur Rahaman's quota of overs, he had no option but to give inexperienced Mahedi the ball and Fernando slog swept his second delivery to seal the fate of the game, which could have otherwise belonged to Ebadot. Asitha Fernando showed exceptional composure under pressure to hit two match-defining boundaries that took Sri Lanka to the Super Fours of the Asia Cup with a thrilling two-wicket victory over bitter rivals Bangladesh. Chasing a target of 184, Sri Lanka won with an anti-climax reserved for the final over when of-spinner Mahedi Hasan overstepped while bowling the third delivery bringing down curtains on the game. While Kusal Mendis (60 off 37 balls) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (45 off 33 balls) set up the victory, it wouldn't have been possible without Fernando's brilliant temperament.