Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in thriller to seal Asia Cup Super 4 spot

Vital partnership between Mendis and captain Shanaka puts team on way to two-wicket win in Dubai

Kusal Mendis plays a shot during his knock of 60 that helped Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2022 match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, September 1. Pawan Singh / The National

Sri Lanka Asitha Fernando, right, celebrates with teammate Maheesh Theekshana after playing taking winning score during the T20 cricket match of Asia Cup between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo / Anjum Naveed)

Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando celebrate after beating Bangladesh by two wickets. Pawan Singh / The National

Kusal Mendis plays a shot against Bangladesh. Pawan Singh / The National

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is bowled out by Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana for 24. AFP

Afif Hossain plays a shot on his way to 36 for Bangladesh. Pawan Singh / The National

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga celebrates after taking the wicket of Bangladesh batter Mahmudullah for 27. Pawan Singh / The National

Mahmudullah plays a shot during his 27 off 22 balls. Pawan Singh / The National

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga takes a catch to dismiss Bangladesh batter Afif Hossain. AFP

Fans during the game at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pawan Singh / The National

Mahmudullah plays a shot against Sri Lanka. Pawan Singh / The National

Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah running between the wickets in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Vital knocks by Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka pull off a thrilling two-wicket win over Bangladesh and seal a place in the Asia Cup Super 4 stage on Thursday.

Chasing 184 for victory in a winner-takes-all game, Sri Lanka were grateful to a 54-run stand between Mendis (60) and Shanaka (45) before the tail helped achieve their target with four balls to spare at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Mendis fell after his 37-ball knock and Shanaka was out in the 18th over.

But Chamika Karunaratne, with a 10-ball 16, and Asitha Fernando, unbeaten on 10, held their nerve to knock Bangladesh out of the tournament, which acts as a tune-up to the T20 World Cup in October-November.

Needing eight of the final over, Fernando hit a four and then took two runs off a no ball to trigger celebrations in the Sri Lankan camp.

Bangladesh fast bowler Ebadot Hossain claimed three wickets but gave away 51 runs in his four overs.

Ebadot broke through in his first over to send back Pathum Nissanka for 20 and three balls later took the wicket of Charith Asalanka for one.

Mendis, who was dropped on two by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, survived a reprieve on 29 when he was given caught behind but the delivery from off-spinner Mahedi Hasan turned out to be a no ball.

Eabadot dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka as Sri Lanka slipped to 67-3 and soon 77-4 with the departure of the big-hitting Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

Mendis was then kept company by Shanaka as the two put the chase back on track and soon took the attack to the opposition bowlers.

Shanaka hammered Ebadot in a 22-run 13th over while Mendis reached his fifty in 31 balls.

Bangladesh spearhead Mustafizur Rahman sent the Tigers fans wild with the wicket of Mendis, who hit four fours and three sixes in his knock.

Earlier, put in to bat first, Bangladesh posted 183-7 after a 57-run fifth-wicket partnership between Afif Hossain (39) and Mahmudullah Riyad (27).

Mosaddek Hossain chipped in with a useful 24 not out off nine balls to finish the innings with a flourish.

Sri Lanka took regular wickets, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Karunaratne claiming two each to help the island nation move into the next stage alongside Afghanistan from Group B.

The winners of the Group A game between Pakistan and Hong Kong on Friday will secure a Super 4 spot alongside India.

Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan in the opening Super 4 clash in Sharjah on Saturday.