Lanka defeat Bangladesh in first ODI

Bangladesh hit their highest total against Sri Lanka in the first of three one-day internationals, but their best was not enough to win as the hosts took the match by five wickets on Sunday.

Tushar Imran and captain Khaled Mashud each scored half-centuries as Bangladesh finished their first innings at 226 for eight wickets, after 50 overs.

But Sri Lanka's batsmen proved too much for the young team, as they made 228 in 44.4 overs with five wickets to spare.

Marvan Atapattu, who opened alongside captain Sanath Jayasuriya, was the highest scorer, striking eight boundaries and one six in his 83.

The right-hander's stay at the crease was extended when Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful fumbled an easy catch.

Jayasuriya's 40 got the team off to a solid start before he was caught out by Ashraful from a careless hit off the bottom of the bat on the bowling of Tapash Baisya.

It was the first wicket in a one-dayer for Baisya, who was making his debut.

The only Sri Lankan not to reach double figures was veteran Aravinda de Silva, who last played a one-day match in February 2001 against New Zealand.

De Silva was caught out by Mashud off Mohammad Rafique after scoring just one run.

But despite Bangladesh's failure to win a match so far during their tour of Sri Lanka, the team improved on previous performances, with Imran, Mashud and 17-year-old Ashraful showing some staying power at the crease.

Imran struck six boundaries for his 61, to make the second half-century of his one-day career before being caught out on a Muttiah Muralitharan off-spinner taken near the boundary by Russel Arnold.

Ashraful, who made 75 during the second test last week, hit two back-to-back boundaries off of Muralitharan and two sixes for his 36.

But he took one too many chances against the off-spinner, who took him out with a catch by Hasantha Fernando.

Captain Mashud, batting at number six, was caught out by his Sri Lanka counterpart Jayasuriya off of fast-medium bowler Chamila Gamage after striking four boundaries in his 54.

It was Gamage's second wicket on his one-day debut. He also bowled Bashar.

Bangladesh did not make more than 184 in an innings against Sri Lanka in the two test matches they played during the tour.

The teams will play the second one-dayer in Colombo on Monday, and their final match on Wednesday.

Mail Cricket Editor