Colombo: Marvan Atapattu slammed a superb 83 to guide Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first One-day International on Sunday.

The 31-year-old opener hit one six and eight fours in his 101-ball knock as Sri Lanka surpassed Bangladesh's total of 226-8 with 32 balls to spare to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

The loss was Bangladesh's 48th defeat in 51 One-dayers.

Earlier, off spinner Muthiah Muralitharan equalled Australian leg spinner Shane Warne's haul of 278 One-day wickets with two vital blows as Sri Lanka restricted the tourists to a modest total on a good batting pitch.

Muralitharan dismissed well-set opener Mohammad Ashraful (36) and Tushar Imran (61) to finish with 2-44 off 10 overs and become the joint-fourth wicket-taker with Warne.

Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram heads the list with 463 wickets in One-day Internationals, followed by compatriot Waqar Younis (377) and Indian Anil Kumble (295).

Imran and skipper Khaled Mashud (54) hit half-centuries to help Bangladesh post its highest total in seven One-dayers against Sri Lanka, but its efforts was still not good enough to put pressure on the hosts.

Sri Lanka got off to a brisk start as skipper Sanath Jayasuriya struck a 32-ball 40 in a 56-run stand for the opening wicket with Atapattu off just 7.4 overs.

Jayasuriya fell immediately after pulling seamer Tapash Baisya for a six over mid- wicket. He tried a similar shot off the next delivery, but mistimed it to be caught by Ashraful at square-leg.

There was no respite for Bangladesh as Kumar Sangakkara (29) added 56 for the second wicket with man-of-the-match Atapattu. Mahela Jayawardene (18) fell at 151, but Atapattu continued to dominate the Bangladeshi attack with rich stroke-play during his 41st half-century.

In contrast, the Bangladeshi batting never flourished despite half-centuries from Imran and Mashud as seamers Chamila Gamage (2-34) and Dilhara Fernando (2-33) provided valuable support to Muralitharan.

The tourists were 86-4 after electing to bat before Imran steadied the innings with a 90-run stand for the fifth wicket with Mashud. Imran, 18, reached his second half- century in five matches with a lofted drive over mid-off for a four from off spinner Aravinda de Silva, who returned to the One-day squad after a year.

The Bangladeshi teenager hit six fours in his solid 85-ball knock before sweeping Muralitharan straight to Russel Arnold at deep square-leg. Ashraful also batted well, pulling Dilhara Fernando and Gamage for sixes in his 53-ball knock.

Gamage and fellow-seamer Hasantha Fernando made debuts for Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh also included two newcomers in Tapash Baisya and Alok Kapali.

Copyright AFP 2001

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