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Kusal's 124 was the highlight of Sri Lanka's series win

Kusal's 124 was the highlight of Sri Lanka's series win

Sri Lanka completed a 2-1 series win over Bangladesh after a comfortable 99-run victory in the third ODI on Tuesday, July 8 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele.

Kusal Mendis played a match-winning knock of 124 runs off 114 balls as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 99 runs in the final ODI to clinch the series. His powerful batting and a strong overall team performance helped seal the victory convincingly. The game’s highlight was the 124-run partnership between Kusal and Charith Asalanka, who supported well with his 58 off 68 balls. While Bangladesh’s bowlers managed to do well in the beginning and end phases conceding just 62 runs in the final 10 overs Sri Lanka’s middle overs dominance laid the foundation for their total of 285 for 7.
Bangladesh struggled from the start of their chase. Early wickets fell quickly, with the score at just 20 for 2 in the fourth over and then 62 for 3 by the 14th. Towhid Hridoy tried to stabilize things with a half-century, but Bangladesh couldn’t build a meaningful partnership. As the required run-rate kept climbing, pressure mounted. Eventually, the entire team was dismissed for 186 runs in the 40th over.
Among the bowlers, Asitha Fernando was once again exceptional for Sri Lanka. He focused on straight deliveries and picked up 3 wickets for just 33 runs in his seven overs. Dushmantha Chameera also shone with 3 wickets, including a beautiful seaming ball that bowled Hridoy. His fuller-length deliveries proved more effective than the short ones, finishing with figures of 3 for 51 in eight overs. Spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage each grabbed two wickets, giving Sri Lanka control in the middle overs.
Although Bangladesh had moments to be proud of especially when they had Sri Lanka at 100 for 3 after 21 overs and also took four late wickets they could not capitalize on those phases. It was the central batting partnership that hurt them most. Kusal Mendis dominated with smart shot selection, especially on the leg side. He was aggressive on short balls and used his short-arm jab pull effectively, sending deliveries racing to square leg with perfect timing. Seven of his 18 boundaries came behind square, and two-thirds of his total runs were scored on the leg side. He also used a variety of sweep shots to his advantage, mixing the flat sweep, paddle sweep, and slog sweep.
Kusal showed great composure throughout the innings. He started steadily during the powerplay, scoring 25 runs off 26 balls. There was a brief slowdown as he approached his half-century, but he sped up afterward, reaching his century on his 95th ball and crossing into the 100s within six more deliveries. Asalanka, though not as fluent as Kusal, contributed well by using smart footwork and finding ways to score, especially through sweeps and legside placements.
The partnership eventually ended when Taskin Ahmed got rid of Asalanka with a low full toss, which he mishit straight to mid-on. Kusal was dismissed in the 46th over while trying to play an aggressive shot but could only send it skyward for a catch.
In the second innings, Sri Lanka’s bowlers worked together as a unit. Early breakthroughs were delivered by Asitha and Chameera, followed by the spinners dominating the middle overs. By the time Bangladesh reached 124 for 5 in the 28th over, the writing was on the wall. The quicks returned to clean up the tail, and aside from Hridoy, no Bangladeshi batter managed to score over 30. The combination of Kusal’s dominant batting and a clinical bowling effort gave Sri Lanka a commanding win and a well-deserved series victory.

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