Guwahati (PTI): Bangladesh handed Sri Lanka a crushing seven-wicket defeat in their first warm-up match of the ICC ODI World Cup, here on Friday to make a winning start.
Chasing 264, Bangladesh rode on half-centuries from top-order batters Tanzid Hasan (84), Litton Das (61) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (67 not out) to romp home in 42 overs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Hasan cracked 10 fours and two sixes to make a sturdy 84 off 88 balls, while Das hit 10 fours in his 56-ball 61. The two batters added 131 for the opening wicket.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 35.
Earlier in the day, opting to bat Sri Lanka were bowled out for 263 in 49.1 overs with Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva scoring fifties.
Opening batter Nissanka added 104 for the first wicket with Kusal Perera (34) but despite getting a strong start, Sri Lanka's middle-order could not capitalise.
Nissanka made his 68 off 64 balls with eight fours and a six, while de Silva took 79 deliveries to score 55 with two fours and a six.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 263 all out in 49.1 overs (Pathum Nissanka 68, Kusal Perera 34, Dhananjaya de Silva 55; Mahedi Hasan 3/36) lost to Bangladesh 264 for 3 in 42 overs (Tanzid Hasan 84, Litton Das 61, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 67 not out, Mushfiqur Rahim 35 not out; Lahiru Kumara 1/30) by 7 wickets.
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Hardoi (UP) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said voters
are casting their vote in West Bengal this time in a "fearless atmosphere", which was unimaginable in the past six or seven decades.
He also asserted that the assembly poll results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India.
Voting is underway in 142 constituencies of West Bengal in the second and final phase of polling.
Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway here, Modi said today marks an important day in the festival of democracy.
"Voting for the second phase is underway in Bengal, and reports indicate a massive turnout, with people stepping out in large numbers just like in the first phase. Images of long queues at polling stations are flooding social media, reflecting the enthusiasm of the people to exercise their democratic right," he said.
"What we are witnessing in Bengal today is unprecedented which was difficult to imagine in the past six to seven decades, a fearless environment where people are voting without fear," he said.
The prime minister said this is a powerful symbol of the country's Constitution and the strengthening of democracy.
"I express my gratitude to the great people of Bengal for being so aware of their rights and participating in large numbers," he said.
With several hours of voting still left, the prime minister urged the people of Bengal to continue participating in this democratic festival with the same enthusiasm.
Modi said in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the BJP and NDA achieved a historic and decisive victory.
"Just yesterday, results of local body elections in Gujarat showed that the BJP secured victories in nearly 80 to 85 percent of municipalities and panchayats.
"The results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India and will infuse new energy into the pace of development of the country."
The first phase of polling for 152 seats -- out of the 294-member West Bengal assembly -- was held on April 23.
The counting of votes for assembly polls in Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, Assam and Tamil Nadu will take place on May 4.
