Asia Cup 2023: Plan was to get 250 runs for the team – Sadeera Samarawickrama

Sri Lankan batter Sadeera Samarawickrama said that his plan was to take his team to a par score of 250 runs in the Super Fours stage match against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday.

Sri Lanka were given a decent start by their top order as they added 117-3 after 26 overs. However, the much-needed push in the middle overs was added by Sadeera Samarawickrama, who scored a blistering knock of 93 runs off just 72 balls.

The right-hander scored eight fours and two sixes in his whirlwind knock as he batted at the top of his game. This was the fifth ODI fifty for the 30-year-old and he also scored his runs at a strike rate of 129.17.

Earlier in the innings, Kusal Mendis scored a crucial knock of 50 runs for the home team.

Meanwhile, Samarawickrama has been in top form in the ongoing continental tournament as he has scored 150 runs in three matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 95.54.

In fact, the pitch wasn’t easy for batting but the Sri Lankan batter showed his class. Samarawickrama said after he was awarded the Player of the Match, “When I went to bat, the wicket was not easy to bat on. My plan was to play my normal game and back myself. My plan was to play as late as possible. Was waiting for the ball to come to me, not go too far forward. I was trying to bat deep, plan was to get 250 for the team. Knew that wicket is going to play big part for spinners.”

On the other hand, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka also played a key role in his team’s win. Shanaka scored 24 runs off 32 balls to add the finishing touches whereas he returned with impressive figures of 3-28 to skittle out Bangladesh for only 236.

Shanaka said after the game, “Bangladesh bowlers bowled really well, especially Hasan Mahmud. So I thought if I hit the seam, it can work. And I delivered. When there’s no frontline bowlers, someone needs to chip in. Normally Kasun and Maheesh deliver at the top. But Maheesh delivered at the end. It’s matter of time, I have played good enough cricket to deliver. Kusal and Sadeera read the wicket really well and played accordingly.”

Sri Lanka will next take on India at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday.