Tillakaratne Dilshan all but scuttled Bangladesh's hopes of staying competitive in the Asia Cup and helped earn Sri Lanka a bonus point in the process. He blazed to a half-century, providing thrust for the first-ever total in excess of 300 in Dambulla, and then exercised control over Bangladesh's escalating run-rate, while ripping out three wickets to end the visitors' chances of an improbable victory.

If the rules of boxing were applied to cricket, umpires Billy Bowden and Bruce Oxenford would have been justified in awarding Sri Lanka a technical knockout, for Bangladesh's bowlers were unable to defend themselves against Dilshan. Sri Lanka's openers scored at will, finding the boundary at least once in each of the first 12 overs.

While Dilshan didn't need room to cut and drive Mortaza, he was offered a short ball by Syed Rasel first up and pulled it to the long-leg boundary. Most of his runs came on the off, but when afforded opportunities on the leg, Dilshan took advantage - pulling a long hop from Mortaza for a six that crashed into an advertising board and brought a reward of $1500 as well.

The contest began to find an equilibrium only after Sri Lanka reached 100 in the 12th over, as Shakib Al Hasan delayed the bowling Powerplay to avail the protection of five boundary riders. During this quieter passage, Dilshan's attempt to work the ball to leg hit the leading edge and gave Shakib the softest of return catches.

Tamim had some success against Sri Lanka, including Dilshan. He played a precisely placed cover-drive against Dilshan to bring up his half-century off 52 balls. The next delivery, however, was his last. Dilshan dragged Tamim forward with his flight, leaving Sangakkara with a routine stumping to complete.

Bangladesh's slim hopes soon vanished when Dilshan trapped Ashraful in front and had Mushfiqur stumped. At 126 for 5, all that remained to be seen was whether Bangladesh could prevent Sri Lanka from gaining a bonus point. They couldn't.