Bangladesh put together a convincing batting performance to beat Sri Lanka Board President’s XI by five wickets in a 50-over warm-up match in Colombo, chasing down 282 with 11 balls to spare.
Mohammad Mithun was the standout with 91 off 100 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries and a six. He looked set for a century before falling short, but the knock was a welcome return to form after a lean run in the World Cup and the preceding tri-series in Ireland. Mushfiqur Rahim contributed a brisk fifty off 46 balls, with six fours and a six, and his 73-run third-wicket stand with Mithun gave the chase a solid base.
The partnership that effectively sealed the win was a 96-run stand between Mithun and Mahmudullah Riyad, who made 33. Captain Tamim Iqbal scored 37, while Sabbir Rahman finished unbeaten on 31 alongside Mosaddek Hossain, who was not out on 15, to see Bangladesh home.
Sri Lanka Board President’s XI had posted 282 largely on the back of Dasun Shanaka’s aggressive 86 not out off 63 balls and a 56 from Shehan Jayasuriya. For Bangladesh, Rubel Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets from seven overs for 31 runs, and Mustafizur Rahman also took one. Soumya Sarkar chipped in with two wickets as well. Taskin Ahmed, returning to the squad, was expensive, going for 57 runs in eight overs for one wicket.
The first of a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka was scheduled to begin at the same venue on the following Friday.