It was a day for career-best performances in Colombo, as Mahedi Hasan and Tanzid Hasan powered Bangladesh to a fantastic T20I series victory over Sri Lanka.
An eight-wicket win, driven by Mahedi’s outstanding bowling, sealed the series for the team on Wednesday. It capped a strong comeback after losing the opening match.
Mahedi Dominates with the Ball
Sri Lanka, after electing to bat, struggled to build momentum. Mahedi Hasan returned to the playing eleven and immediately made his mark.
He removed Kusal Perera for a duck and then dismissed Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, and Pathum Nissanka in quick succession.
His final figures — four wickets for just 11 runs — halted Sri Lanka’s innings before it could take off.
By the 11th over, Sri Lanka had lost half their side and sat at 66 for 5.
Dasun Shanaka tried to lift the total in the final over, smashing 22 runs off Shoriful Islam, including two sixes and two boundaries. One of the sixes left the stadium.
Sri Lanka put up 132 for 7—a total that never really looked enough on this surface.
Tanzid Leads Comfortable Chase
Bangladesh’s reply didn’t start smoothly. Nuwan Thushara trapped Parvez Hossain Emon lbw with the first ball of the innings.
But Tanzid Hasan responded aggressively. He struck six sixes and reached his half-century with a tickled boundary down leg.
Litton Das provided solid support with a 32-run knock, adding 74 runs with Tanzid for the second wicket before falling at deep square leg.
Despite Litton’s dismissal, Tanzid remained composed. He lifted Kamindu Mendis for a towering six, his last of the evening, and finished unbeaten on 73 off 47 balls.
Towhid Hridoy struck a six and then took the winning run in the 17th over.
Tanzid let out a loud cheer as the ball rolled past the infield. The home crowd, by then, had grown quiet.
Bangladesh’s Comeback Story
After losing the first game in Pallekele, Bangladesh fought back in Dambulla and wrapped up the series in Colombo.
This is just the second time they’ve turned around a 1-0 deficit in a T20I series. The last was five years ago, against West Indies in 2018.
It’s another step forward for Bangladesh, building belief in their T20 game.
For Sri Lanka, the decision to bat first backfired again. At the R Premadasa Stadium, teams batting first under lights continue to struggle.
The visitors, in contrast, seemed more settled in both planning and execution.
From here, both teams shift focus to the upcoming ODI series. Bangladesh will hope the momentum carries forward.
