Sri Lanka surprises Bangladesh and takes a 1-0 lead
Sri Lanka surprises Bangladesh and takes a 1-0 lead
Sri Lanka started their ODI series against Bangladesh with a strong performance, winning the first match by 77 runs. Charith Asalanka was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century (106) .
Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in their ODI series against Bangladesh with a solid 77-run win at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The hosts, led by captain Charith Asalanka’s steady century, posted a competitive 244 all out before their spin bowlers caused a sudden downfall that got Bangladesh out for 167 runs.
Sri Lanka’s innings started poorly, slipping to 29/3 in just eight overs. In-form Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a duck, followed quickly by Nishan Madushka and Kamindu Mendis. However, Kusal Mendis looked confident early, finding boundaries and building momentum. Together with Asalanka, he stitched a useful 60-run stand. Mendis fell short of his fifty, but Asalanka pressed on, striking sixes and taking control as the innings progressed.
With support from Janith Liyanage and Milan Rathnayake, Asalanka took Sri Lanka past the 200-mark. Rathnayake and Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with quick runs, and despite Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib picking up three wickets each, Sri Lanka managed a decent total. Asalanka completed his fifth ODI century just before being dismissed in the final over.
Bangladesh began the chase brightly, with debutant Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan collecting six boundaries within the first five overs. Emon fell early, but Tanzid and Najmul Hossain Shanto built a solid partnership, taking the team to 100 for 1.
Shanto was run out trying to sneak a second run, which sparked a rapid downfall. In the 18th over, Hasaranga trapped Litton Das lbw for a duck and removed Tanzid thanks to a stunning catch by Liyanage. The wickets kept tumbling Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim, and Taskin Ahmed all fell in quick succession. Kamindu Mendis, bowling with both hands, caught three wickets and played a key role in dismantling the middle and lower order. From 100 for 1, Bangladesh crashed to 105 for 8, losing seven wickets for just five runs.
Jaker Ali put up a brave fight, scoring a 59-ball fifty with some clean hitting including sixes off Asalanka and Theekshana. He partnered briefly with Tanvir Islam and later with Mustafizur Rahman, trying to keep Bangladesh’s hopes alive. He farmed the strike well and kept the scoreboard moving despite limited support from the other end.
Sri Lanka faced a small hiccup when they were penalised five runs for slow over rates their third such warning but the game didn’t slip from their grasp. Hasaranga eventually ended Jaker’s resistance by trapping him lbw, wrapping up the match in the 36th over.
It was a game of two halves for Bangladesh solid at the start but undone by relentless spin and sharp fielding. For Sri Lanka, it was a gritty team effort, headlined by Asalanka’s century and their spinners’ skilful execution.