DHAKA: Kumar Sangakkkara hit a defiant 59 as Sri Lanka overcame a disastrous start to defeat Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling tri-series final here on Friday.
Sri Lanka, chasing Bangladesh's 152, recovered after losing their first five wickets for just six runs to squeak past the modest target with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, Nuwan Kulasekara and Ajantha Mendis grabbed three wickets apiece as Sri Lanka dismissed Bangladesh for 152. Fast bowler Kulasekara picked three of the first five wickets in a lively opening spell to send Bangladesh reeling at 54-5 in the 19th over. His victims were openers Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddique, and Mushfiqur Rahim.
The hosts never looked like posting a challenging total after the early blows and lost their last four wickets for just one run, with unorthodox spinner Mendis claiming three to finish with 3-24.
Raqibul Hasan top-scored with a fighting 43 in his team's below-par batting performance. He added 53 for the seventh wicket with Naeem Islam (21), the highest stand of the innings.
Mohammad Mahmudullah was the other main run-getter with 26, which included
a hooked six off seamer Farveez Maharoof.
Bangladesh, who recorded a surprise five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on Wednesday to edge out Zimbabwe for a place in the final, were clueless against
pace in early overs after being put in to bat.
Seamers Thilan Thushara and Maharoof also kept pressure on the hosts, each taking one wicket in opening spells.
The Sri Lankan pacemen were brilliantly backed by wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara, who took four catches.
Shakib Al Hasan, who cracked 92 in Wednesday's win, contributed only nine runs this time before being caught behind while attempting to cut Thushara.
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