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At the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka overcame Bangladesh by five wickets to begin their 2023 Asia Cup campaign on Thursday.

The victorious team crossed the finish line thanks to fifty-point performances from Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Sri Lanka had slid to 43-3 while chasing the 165-run mark, but Asalanka and Samarawickrama contributed 78 runs in 119 balls to keep the Islanders on course for victory.

Six fours let Samarawickrama score 54 runs in 77 balls. Asalanka, who scored 62 runs in 92 balls—including five fours and a maximum—remains unbeaten.

The bowler of choice for Bangladesh was captain Shakib Al Hasan, who finished with figures of 2-29 in 10 overs.

When Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first in the second game of the 2023 Asia Cup, they established a goal of 165 runs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored the team's highest total of 89 runs in 122 balls as they were bowled for 164 in 42.4 overs.

Only four batters for Bangladesh reached double figures as they frequently lost wickets.

The best bowler was Matheesha Pathirana, who had statistics of 4-32 in 7.4 overs.

The Sri Lankan team is plagued by injuries, and several important players will be out from the Asian tournament, including all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh was dealt a severe blow as wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das was disqualified from the competition.

Veteran leaders like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, and Mehedi Hassan lead Bangladesh, which is also commanded by the skilled Shakib Al Hasan.

Dasun Shanaka is in charge of the Sri Lankan team, which also includes veteran players Kusal Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dhanajaya de Silva.

Muhammad Naim, Tanzid Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehedi Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman make up the playing XI for Bangladesh.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana are all Sri Lankan players.