TAMIM, SAKIB FIRE BANGLADESH TO THEIR BIGGEST ODI WIN

Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza (R) congratulates teammate Sakib al Hasan after the dismissal of the Sri Lankan cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga during the third one-day international match of the Tri-Nation Series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on January 19, 2018. — AFP photo

Bangladesh's four seniormost cricketers came to the fore to deliver them a 163-run win - their biggest in ODIs - over Sri Lanka in Mirpur.

It was a wretched performance from Sri Lanka all around. In the face of a daunting Bangladesh total of 320 for 7, their batsmen lasted just 32.2 overs. And their bowlers hardly tested Bangladesh's line-up.

Each of Bangladesh's batting core came good. Tamim Iqbal made 84 off 102 balls. Shakib struck an aggressive 67 at more than a run a ball. And Mushfiqur Rahim blasted 62. All of that meant Bangladesh managed good partnerships through their innings. Their first three pairs, involving Tamim, Anamul Haque, Shakib and Mushfiqur, each strung together 50-plus partnerships, only the second time that their first four batsmen have made such a productive start.

Tamim and Anamul began by putting on 71 for the first wicket, before Shakib joined Tamim for a 99-run stand.

It laid a solid foundation as a 300-plus total looked imminent very early.

Sri Lanka, who were without injured captain Angelo Mathews, could never threaten to overhaul Bangladesh score as they have now suffered their second successive defeats in the tournament.

Thisara Perera made highest 29 runs for Sri Lanka, who lost their first match against Zimbabwe by 12 runs on Wednesday.

Bangladesh, who beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets in their first match, took the control of the game from the beginning after Tamim put 71-run with Anamul in the opening stand.

Dropped by stand-in skipper Dinesh Chandimal in the very first over at slip, Anamul lived dangerously before he was dismissed by Perera for 35 runs.

Tamim shared 99 runs with Sakib for the second wicket before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella successfully reviewed a not out decision against him to end his innings, featuring seven fours and two sixes.

Sakib gave return catch to Asela Gunaratne in 38th over but Bangladesh were still on course to a big score thanks to Mushfiqur, who was later bowled by Perera.

Mahmudullah (24) and Sabbir Rahman (24 not out) provided a late impetus to ensure Bangladesh cross 300-run mark.

Perera claimed 3-60 while Nuwan Pradeep grabbed 2-66 for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka will face Zimbabwe in their next match of the tournament on Sunday.