Kusal Mendis was the man of the hour for Sri Lanka, hitting a superb century that put his team in complete control. The bowlers followed his lead, staying sharp and on target to hand Bangladesh a 99-run defeat in Tuesday’s final ODI, securing the series 2-1.
Mendis’s brilliant 124 and Asalanka’s 58 powered Sri Lanka to 285/7, thanks to a game-changing 124-run partnership.
Bangladesh, facing a steep target, couldn’t settle into the innings. They stumbled early to 20 for 2, then slumped further at 62 for 3. A brief resistance came from Towhid Hridoy, who top-scored with 51, but the rest fell around him. The hosts were bowled out for 186 in 39.5 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Anchored by Mendis
The innings turned on the stand between Mendis and Asalanka. Sri Lanka were 100 for 3 in the 21st over when the pair came together. While Bangladesh managed to contain scoring in the final stretch — conceding just 62 runs in the last 10 overs — the damage was already done.
Mendis’s approach was patient early and explosive later. He punished anything short, especially off the back foot, and preferred the leg side for most of his scoring. Of his 18 boundaries, seven came behind square on the leg side. He reached his century in 95 balls and appeared composed throughout.
Asalanka was more measured, finding runs through sweeps and well-timed pushes. Six of his nine boundaries also came on the leg side. His innings ended with a miscue off a low full toss from Taskin Ahmed.
Bangladesh fought back after that stand, picking up four wickets in the final 10 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin each finished with two wickets.
Bangladesh Falters in the Chase
Chasing 286, Bangladesh started poorly. Asitha Fernando removed Tanzid Hasan in the third over. Dushmantha Chameera followed up by dismissing Najmul Hossain Shanto in the next.
The middle order struggled against spin. Both Hasaranga and Wellalage struck twice, tightening the screws before the fast bowlers sealed the innings.
Asitha stood out again with 3 for 33, continuing his effective stump-targeting approach. Chameera added 3 for 51. By the 28th over, Bangladesh were 124 for 5, and the outcome looked sealed.
Hridoy’s 51 was the lone highlight for the hosts. No other batter crossed 30. Once the spinners exposed the lower order, the pace bowlers returned and cleaned up.
Series Wraps with Questions for Bangladesh, Confidence for Sri Lanka
For Bangladesh, it was a day of what-ifs. They had Sri Lanka at 100 for 3 at one point, and later picked up four wickets in the death overs. But the partnership in the middle and their lack of batting partnerships cost them.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will take confidence from how their batting came together and how their bowlers shared the workload. The visitors leave Dhaka with a well-earned series win and their middle order in form.
