Dilshan fires Sri Lanka to easy win over Bangladesh

DHAKA,  (Reuters) – Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed his  sixth one-day century to inspire Sri Lanka to a comfortable  seven-wicket win over hosts Bangladesh in the first match of the  Tri-Series yesterday.

Chasing Bangladesh’s modest total of 260 for seven, Dilshan  made 104 off 122 balls including 12 boundaries as Sri Lanka  reached their target with more than five overs to spare.

Dilshan, dropped on 61 by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al  Hasan, added 148 runs with his captain Kumar Sangakkara for the  second wicket to put his team on course for victory.

Sangakkara struck 74 off 73 balls, his 52nd one-day  international fifty, before providing debutant Bangladesh seamer  Shafiul Islam with his first international wicket.

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful struck 75 off 94  balls, his 20th one-day half-century, to lift the hosts to a  respectable total after being put into bat.

Ashraful, who hit six fours, added 95 runs for the sixth  wicket with all-rounder Mahmudullah who chipped in with 45 off  47 balls including four fours and six.