April 2, 2017 by admin

Kulasekara leads SL to draw series

Colombo, Nuwan Kulasekara claimed four wickets as Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 71 runs in the third ODI, securing a 1-1 draw in the three-match series.
Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna all chipped in with two wickets each helping the home side to successfully defend 280/9 at Sinhalese Sports Club ground. Kulasekara claimed 4/37 as the visitors were bowled out for 215 runs in 44.3 overs, avoiding their first series loss to Bangladesh.
Shakib Al Hasan remained the top scorer with 54 runs while Mehedi Hasan hit 51 — his maiden ODI fifty. Earlier, Kusal Mendis top-scored with 54 and Thisara Perera added 52 off 40 balls to give Sri Lanka a competitive score. Bangladesh went on to the backfoot soon after they started their chase losing their first three wickets for just 11 runs. Kulasekara, who was not part of Sri Lanka team in their 90-run loss in the opening match, led the way for home side striking twice in his first two overs. Lakmal put Bangladesh in dire straits when he hit Mushfiqur Rahim on the backfoot for an LBW — the first ball he faced. Shakib and Soumya Sarkar (38) rebuilt the inning with a 77-run stand for the fourth wicket but Dilruwan put Sri Lanka back in control removing both the batsmen.
The game ended as a contest when Shakib drove Perera straight to Danushka Gunathilaka at cover to leave Bangladesh 118/6.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 280/9 in 50 overs (Kusal 54, Thisara 52; Mortaza 3/65); Bangladesh: 210 all out in 44.3 overs (Shakib 54, Mehedi 51; Kulasekara 4/37).