Bangladesh broke their losing streak by winning their first bilateral ODI series in 10 months with a thrilling four-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in Chattogram.
Bangladesh snapped out of their losing streak when they clinched their first bilateral ODI series in 10 months with a series-clinching four-wicket win in their third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Chattogram yesterday. A century, a collision while fielding, a concussion substitute, a whirlwind innings, and a petty act of dragging the past — the final match of the three-match series had produced a number of memorable moments.
It was Janith Liyanage’s resolve that eventually helped Sri Lanka reach a competitive total of 235 all out in 50 overs. Liyanage walked in at number six, with Sri Lanka in a spot of bother at 74 for four. Lending his side some stability, he stitched a 43-run fifth-wicket stand with Charith Asalanka before the latter departed in the 25th over. Liyanage soon lost two more partners. Burdened with the weight of carrying the Lankan innings, Liyanage forged an innings-defining 60-run eighth-wicket stand with Maheesh Theekshana and stayed unbeaten till the end to score his maiden ODI hundred (101 off 102 balls).
Despite a series of memorable moments in the final match, including a century, a fielding collision, a concussion substitution, and a remarkable innings, Bangladesh emerged victorious.
Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman struck early for Bangladesh, while spinners Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain contributed to Sri Lanka’s early collapse, reducing them to 154-7.
However, Janith Liyanage’s resilient century guided Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 235 runs, with support from Charith Asalanka and Maheesh Theekshana.
Sri Lanka, especially their premier leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, were hit by a storm that they might have not anticipated. The outcome of a four-wicket win with 58 deliveries to spare might be misleading as things got a bit nervy for Bangladesh at one stage of the game. When Rishad walked in, Bangladesh still needed 58 more runs to win after 36.1 overs with no recognised batter left. Rishad was included in the squad for the game considering his abilities with the bat but an 18-ball 48 not out is something no one might have foreseen from the leg-spinner. He started his innings by slog-sweeping Hasaranga over square leg for a maximum and went on to take the Lankans’ lead spinner to the cleaners, smashing him for four more sixes and three boundaries. Rishad’s only other boundary was hit off a Theekshana delivery.
The end of Sri Lanka’s innings saw chaos for Bangladesh as three players were injured, requiring two to be stretchered off the field. Soumya Sarkar’s injury led to Tanzid Hasan Tamim coming in as a concussion substitute, ultimately playing a crucial role in Bangladesh’s victory with a career-best innings.
In a surprising turn, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain played a crucial role with the bat, smashing boundaries against Sri Lanka’s premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
Adding to the drama, experienced player Mushfiqur Rahim re-enacted Angelo Matthews’ ‘timed out’ dismissal during the trophy celebration, highlighting the rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim added further fuel to the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka rivalry as he re-enacted Angelo Matthews’ ‘timed out’ dismissal from the 2023 World Cup during their series-winning celebration with the trophy. As Bangladesh players were standing with the trophy, Mushfiqur carried his helmet and sarcastically complained about the strap getting lose – just like Mathews complained during a World Cup game against the Tigers last year before being the first cricketer ever in international cricket to be ruled as ‘timed out’. Even though skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said after the third T20I that the Lankans had not “moved on” from that incident, it seems like the Bangladesh players themselves are yet to do so.