Asia Cup 2008

Sri Lanka win again; enter final

Sri Lanka were assured of a place in the final of the Asia Cup after they won by a whopping 158 runs against Bangladesh in the semis league match at Karachi.

Electing to bat on a placid pitch against a pedestrian attack, the Sri Lankans got off to the best start possible as they piled on 200 runs in 26 overs. Such was their domination that Sanath Jayasuriya celebrated his birthday with a 55 ball 100. He was finally out for 130 off 88 balls as he looked set for a double hundred. But Sangakkara kept going and got his third hundred of the series. The Sri Lankans though could not continue the momentum given by Jayasuriya and would be terribly disappointed not to get past 350 as they looked set to, at one stage.

Bangladesh, however, didnot bat as well as they bowled in the latter stage as they were completely bamboozled by the spin of Muralitharan, as he took five wickets. They failed to read his wrong one completey and only Raqibul Hassan (52) and Nazimuddin (47) put up any resistance.

Sri Lanka are now in the final and can take it easy against the Indians in their last match while Bangladesh are out of another tournament, yet again.

Tags: Asia Cup 2008, Bangladesh, jayasuriya, Sangakkara, sri lanka