Mushfiqur century propels Bangladesh to big victory over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup

A brilliant century by Mushfiqur Rahim has helped Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 137 runs in the Asia Cup opener.

Bangladesh bowlers bundled out Sri Lanka for a meagre total of 124 in 35.2 overs after the Tigers amassed 261 in Dubai on Saturday.

Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two wickets each.

Eighth batsman Dilruwan Perera was the highest scorer of Sri Lanka with 29 runs.

Lankan bowlers kept taking wickets regularly but the pressure could not stop a steady Mushfiqur from earning his ton after a partnership with Mohammad Mithun between two destructive spells by Malinga.

Mushfiqur was out in the final over after scoring 144 off 150 with 11 boundaries and four over-boundaries.

Opener Tamim Iqbal, who was taken off the field in the second over for finger injury, surprised fans by returning to the crease to help Mushfiqur extend the total after the last batsman was out.

Tamim retired hurt after a ball from Suranga Lakmal struck him on the glove and seemed to inflame his finger injury.

Malinga returned to international cricket in spectacular fashion, dismissing both Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan in his first over.

The Sri Lankan pacer struck again in the 25th over taking the important wicket of Mithun, who scored 63 off 68.

Malinga also sent back Mosaddek Hossain after Mahmudullah was caught by Chaturanga de Silva in a delivery by Amila Aponso, leaving the Tigers in big trouble.

The Bangladesh innings slowed to a crawl for some time, but began to accelerate once both Mithun and Mushfiqur were comfortable at the crease.

Earlier, Mashrafe won the toss and chose to bat.

This was a win with the biggest margin for Bangladesh abroad. They earned the previous abroad win with the biggest margin of 121 runs against Zimbabwe in 2013.

At home, Bangladesh’s win with highest margin was of 163 and the opponents were Sri Lanka in January.

Saturday’s 124 by Sri Lanka was their lowest total against Bangladesh. They were all out for 147 against the Tigers in 2009.