After a superlative ton by Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Perera, fiery pace bowling from pacer Dushmantha Chameera, who bagged a fifer propelled the visitors to smash Bangladesh by 97 runs in the third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.
However despite the comprehensive defeat, Tigers won the three-match ODI series 2-1 for their victories in the first two ODIs. This is also Bangladesh’s first ever bilateral series victory against Sri Lanka.
Chasing a formidable total of 287-run target, Bangladesh were all out for just 189 runs in 42.3 overs. Bangladesh batsman failed to make a good start. They lost three key wickets in quick succession. Opener Mohammad Naim, ace all rounder Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Tamim Iqbal failed to deliver as the team was reeling at 29/3 after 10 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mosaddek Hossain tried to rebuild the innings but their 56-run partnership for the fourth wicket stand was not enough as others failed to build any kind of resistance. Apart from Mahmdullah Riyad and Mosaddek Hossain no batsman showed any resonance. Mahmdullah and Mosaddek scored 53 and 51 respectively.
Earlier, the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first and scored 286/6 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka batsmen Dhananjaya de Silva (55) and Ramesh Mendis (8) remained unbeaten at the end of the innings. Sri Lanka seemed well on course for 325 at one stage. Skipper Kusal Perera hit 122-ball 120 but his dismissal slowed them down, as Bangladesh bowlers utilised slower balls well to keep the visitors in check. Pacer Taskin Ahmed grabbed four wickets - including the first three - as the Bangladesh spinners went wicketless.