Bangladesh in tatters

50 overs Bangladesh 118 (Maharoof 3-30, Perera 3-23) v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka seized control of the first one-dayer with a fine bowling performance as Bangladesh were bundled out for a meagre total at the Bogra District Stadium. The bowlers were helped along by some rash batting as the batsmen flashed at swinging deliveries, ran down the track, swished, and prodded their way to disaster.

With Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan rested for the series, the onus was on the new ball operators - Ruchira Perera and Farveez Maharoof - to strike. And strike they did, in style. The tall Farveez Maharoof, settled into a nice off stump line, hit the good length repeatedly, and kept the batsmen guessing by cutting the ball both ways.

Shariar Nafees was first to go, swishing at a full, swinging ball outside off. His partner Rajin Saleh, who started off with a sumptuous cover-driven four, subsequently went into a shell. His defensive mindset was reflected in his footwork; neither stretching fully forward nor back he chose to play from the crease. Maharoof and Ruchira Perera, bowling left-arm swing, choked him - just seven runs came off 30 balls. And soon his tendency to play from the crease caught up with him when Maharoof seamed one back in from just outside off stump to trap him in front.

Maharoof didn't have to work too hard for his next wicket, either. Mohammad Ashraful, the hero of that famous win over Australia, perished going for a wild swing. He had walked in amidst wild cheering and walked out leaving a packed stadium very silent.

Perera created a stranglehold by swinging the ball back into the right-hand batsmen and at times making it go with the angle. He tempted Aftab Ahmad, who had earlier nonchalantly flicked Maharoof over long-leg for a lovely six, with one such offering. A full and slightly wide one was creamed over cover for a one-bounce four. The next delivery saw an emboldened Aftab run down the track and attempt a wild slog, only to be cleaned up. Perera removed Khaled Mashud with one that angled away and the resultant edge was nicely taken by a diving Kumar Sangakkara.

It was left to a man playing his last match to engineer a fightback for Bangladesh; Khaled Mahmud, a veteran of 76 ODIs, chose to sign off in style. After seeing off the new ball duo, he began to build the momentum. Dilhara Fernando, who induced Habibul Bashar, the captain, to edge behind, was pulled for a stunning six and then slashed away for a four. Hasantha Fernando, the debutant, was carted for two fours. Unfortunately for him and his side, he kept losing his partners. Bashar fell, edging to slip off Dilhara, and Mohammad Rafique was bounced out by the same bowler. Finally Mahmud also fell, trapped by Sanath Jayasuriya, as he missed an attempted sweep and left to a standing ovation. Alok Kapali, the allrounder, making a comeback, came to bat at No 9 and was left stranded as the tail folded up.

Shahriar Nafees c Sangakkara b Maharoof 7 ( 1 for 5)
A wild swish outside off

Aftab Ahmed b Perera 21 (2 for 31)
Ran down the track and went for a wild slog

Rajin Saleh lbw Maharoof 7 (3 for 25) Prodded from the crease, a nip-backer trapped him in front

Mohammad Ashraful c Sangakkara b Maharoof 4 (4 for 36)
chased a full swinging delivery

Khaled Mashud c Sangakkara b Perera 0 (5 for 37)
edged one that was angled away

Habibul Bashar c Jayawarden b Dilhara Fernando 2 (6 for 51)
Pushed hard at a good length delivery

Mohammad Rafique c Jayasuriya b Dilhara Fernando 6 (7 for 82)
Attempted to swat a bouncer, lobbed up to covers

Khaled Mahmud lbw Sanath Jayasuriya 36 ( 8 for 98)
Missed an attempted sweep

Mashrafe Mortaza b Perera 6 (9 for 109)
Squared up by the one that went with the angle

Syed Rasel c Perera b Sanath Jayasuriya 7 (10 for 116)
Holed out to deep mid-wicket