Sri Lanka, inspired by unbeaten hundreds from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, gave a statement of intent ahead of facing England at the weekend with a comfortable victory over Bangladesh by 92 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Experienced duo Dilshan and Sangakkara shared an unbroken 210 in making 161 and 105 respectively as Sri Lanka piled up 332, the latter scoring his fastest century from just 73 balls on his 400th one-day international appearance.
Man of the match Dilshan then chipped in with two wickets and Lasith Malinga took three to help dismiss the Tigers in 47 overs.
Sri Lanka’s second win in three games puts them second in Pool A, with double the points of England whom they meet next on Saturday night at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Dilshan, who described Sangakkara as “a great player”, said: “I’m really happy with today’s innings because last innings I got out first ball.”
The 38-year-old Dilshan added: “I’m not thinking about my age. I go out and enjoy every single ball.”
Once Angelo Mathews won the toss, Dilshan’s opening partner Lahiru Thirimanne lived dangerously, edging skipper Mashrafe Mortaza to first slip in the opening over and between the keeper and slip later in the mandatory powerplay.
Dilshan built steadily until striking Taskin Ahmed for three fours in four balls to raise his fifty. In the next over Thirimanne survived a stumping chance before soon reaching a half-century and being caught at third man off Rubel Hossain for 52, ending a stand of 122.
Sangakkara was initially relatively watchful as Dilshan neared three figures until the former survived a caught-and-bowled chance early in the batting powerplay, taken after 32 overs.
Just after Dilshan registered his 20th ODI ton, Sangakkara was shelled at point on 60 off Rubel and later in the over hit the innings’ sole six, down the ground.
That prompted a batting onslaught, with half of Dilshan’s 22 fours coming in the last six overs and Sangakkara registering his 21st format century in the final set of six.
Unlike Bangladesh, Sri Lanka struck in the first over, Malinga bowling Tamim Iqbal for nought.
OUT! All Over Malinga strikes & will be on a hat-trick in his next game! Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 92 Runs #cwc15pic.twitter.com/kXZ3UXsarl
— ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2015
Dilshan dropped Anamul Haque in the covers during the second over and Soumyar Sarkar then attacked with 25 from 15 deliveries before Mathews had him caught behind.
Suranga Lakmal then snared Mominul Haque to leave the Tigers 41 for three in the seventh over.
Anamul and Mahmadullah added 43 until the former was comfortably run out from midwicket for 29, including a maximum.
Mahmadullah fell for 28 to Thisara Perera, top-edging a pull to fine-leg, but Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim rebuilt by sharing 64 for the sixth wicket, each launching a six in the process.
Dilshan landed the decisive blow, having Shakib held at long-on for 46, and when Lakmal’s slower ball did for Mushfiqur on 36 the game was up.
Sabbir Rahman resisted with 53 yet he was the first of two Malinga wickets in two balls that completed proceedings and earned him figures of 3-35 in nine overs.