By defeating Bangladesh Sri Lanka jumps into the finals

The semi final played at the National Stadium was more exciting than expected. Hopeful of a victory they succumbed to Sri Lanka's pressure and lost by 43 runs. Invited by Bangladesh to bat first Sri Lanka got a terrific start losing the 1st wicket at 71. Harish Ratnayke (32) and Ehsan Mutalip (36) provided the team a solid foundation hoisting 50 of the innings in 15 overs. To continue with the run spree Ehsan Abeysinghe (25) in partnership with other batsmen, raised the score to 100 for 3 in 29 overs. The batsmen who followed kept the score board moving. In 40 overs Sri Lanka was thus able to pile up 173 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.

With only 5 overs remaining, slogging was need of the hour. In the process 2 more wicket were lost. Jeevan Mendis was out after playing a valiant innings of 30 while Ranawaka played an equally valuable innings of 28. The batsmen having been out on the consecutive balls, Shariful Islam was on hat-trick but the next ball that he bowled was wide off the mark. Sri Lanka was now 185 for 7.

The batsmen at the crease Niroshan (18) and Wijesiriwarkdena (6) raised Sri Lanka to 214 for 7 in the full quota of 45 overs. It was however, delightful to see Niroshan closing the innings with a mighty six.

Facing a challenging target of 215 runs Bangladesh started poorly losing 2 wickets for only 20 runs on the board. Naseer ud Din Farukh and Ashraful holding the crease, however, raised the score to 73 in 20 overs. Ashraful who was the back bone of the innings was out after playing a splendid innings of 49. His partner Farrukh was out for an invaluable 30.

In 32 overs, Bangladesh was 125 needing 90 runs in 13 overs, which looked a difficult task. Unfortunate for Bangladesh, their mad race to the target did not work.

They lost wickets in quick succession losing 8 batsmen for 149. The tail-enders not able to sustain the pressure, the whole team was out for 171 runs. With a 43 runs victory over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka jumps into the final.