Shakib injury limits Bangladesh as Sri Lanka take series

Sri Lanka endured a miserable 2017 on the ODI front, but took tri-series glory against a Bangladesh side who were shorn of Shakib Al Hasan.

Published : Jan 27, 2018 20:01 IST

Sri Lanka celebrate victory against Bangladesh
Sri Lanka celebrate victory against Bangladesh
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Sri Lanka celebrate victory against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka overcame its recent one-day woes to win the tri-series final against Bangladesh thanks to a hat-trick on debut from Shehan Madushanka, though the Tigers' concerns will immediately turn to the injury suffered by Shakib Al Hasan.

Star all-rounder Shakib suffered an injury to the little finger on his left hand while fielding in Saturday's match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and will subsequently miss the first Test between these sides, scheduled to start on January 31 in Chittagong.

Next week's fixture was supposed to be Shakib's first as captain since 2011 after he was returned to the role at the expense of Mushfiqur Rahim. Vice-captain Mahmudullah now appears set to lead the Tigers in the first Test.

Mahmudullah played the leading role for his side on Saturday with the bat, but his 76 was never likely to be a winning knock as the Tigers capitulated to 142 all out, chasing 222 for victory.

Upul Tharanga (56), Niroshan Dickwella (42) and Dinesh Chandimal (45) shared the load for Sri Lanka, and Madushanka wrapped up the victory with a spectacular hat-trick, helping to end his side's torrid time in the 50-over format.

Sri Lanka lost 23 of their 29 ODIs in 2017 and were also defeated in their first two matches of this competition, by Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

However, a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe snapped their losing run and they have ended up with the title, with sights now set on defeating the same opposition in a two-Test series.

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