Bangladesh stun Sri Lanka

20 March 2012 18:29

Bangladesh have reached their first Asia Cup final with an upset five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The host nation were struggling in their chase of a Duckworth-Lewis revised 212 off 40 overs for victory, after the Sri Lankans were all out for 232 from 49.5 overs.

But a 77-run sixth-wicket partnership from Nasir Hossain and Mahmudullah guided Bangladesh to a historic victory.

Earlier, the Bangladeshis slumped to 40-3 after top-order batsmen Nazimuddin (six), Jahurul Islam (two) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (one) fell cheaply.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (59) and Shakib Al Hasan (56) steadied the innings with a partnership worth 76, but Sri Lankan off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake (2-38) dismissed the pair to leave Bangladesh in trouble at 135-5.

Hossain (36 off 61) and Mahmudullah (32 off 33) dug deep, however, to grind out the win and send their nation into a maiden Asia Cup final.

The Sri Lankans had earlier posted the competitive total of 232 after being sent in to bat, led by Chamara Kapugedara's 62.

Lahiru Thirimanne and Upul Tharanga both notched 48, with the latter doing so at better than a run a ball, with Tharanga's knock including five fours and one six.

But it was not enough to save Sri Lanka from a winless Asia Cup campaign, which saw them finish bottom of the four-team competition.

Bangladesh's joy at reaching the final came at the expense of India, with MS Dhoni's men denied a final spot.

The hosts will clash with Pakistan in the decider on Thursday in Mirpur.