KARACHI: Sri Lanka are banking on history to repeat itself against Bangladesh today as the struggling islanders bid to make good impression in this World Cup. The three matches between these two teams in previous tournaments were one-sided affairs.

The first time Sri Lanka played Bangladesh in a World Cup fixture was at the Pietermaritzburg Oval in South Africa during the 2003 competition. That match lasted just 52.2 overs as Sri Lanka romped to a whooping 10-wicket victory.

Chaminda Vaas — easily the finest paceman to come from Sri Lanka — wrecked Bangladesh as the left-armer grabbed a hat-trick on way to brilliant figures of 6-25 in 9.1 overs. Muttiah Muralitharan backed him up 3-25 in 10 overs as Bangladesh wee shot out for 124 at the start of the 32nd over.

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya (55) and Marvan Atapattu (69) got the required runs in 21.1 overs to seal an emphatic triumph for their side.

Jayasuriya continued his domination against Bangladesh when the left-handed opener bludgeoned an 87-ball 109, featuring seven sixes and as many fours, during the group fixture of the 2007 World Cup at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

After reaching 318-4, Sri Lanka restricted Bangladesh — needing 311 from 46 overs after rain interrupted the game — to 112 all out in 37 overs and win by 198 runs.

Sri Lanka then put up another batting exhibition during the 2015 World Cup tie at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Tillakaratne Dilshan (161 off 146 balls, 22 fours) and Kumar Sangakkara (105 off 76, 13 fours and one six) pulverised the Bangladesh attack in an unbroken partnership of 210 as Sri Lanka posted 332-1 in 50 overs.

Bangladesh made 240 before being dismissed in 47 overs to lose by 92 runs.

Head-to-head summary

Feb 14, 2003 — Pietermaritzburg, Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.

March 21, 2007 — Port-of-Spain, Sri Lanka won by 198 runs.

Feb 26, 2015 — Melbourne, Sri Lanka won by 92 runs.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2019