RIFKA ZIYARD
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan batting dominance led by captain Kusal Perera’s heroic century and Dushmantha Chameera’s lethal bowling spell of 5 for 16 runs ensured Sri Lankans’ victory by 97 runs at the third one-day international in the Bangabandhu ODI Series 2021 on Friday.
Although Sri Lanka lost the one-day series, this win bags them the much needed 10 points for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Bangladesh clinches the series with 2 victories and proudly stands at the top of the Super League standings with 50 points.
The Sri Lankan Captain Kusal Perera was lucky at the toss and made the choice to bat first. A 82-run opening partnership between Kusal Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka gave the foundation for a higher score.
Taskin Ahmed took two quick wickets in the same over of Gunathilaka and Pathum Nissanka. Kusal Perera held partnerships with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva of 69 and 65 runs to navigate Sri Lanka to a massive score of 286.
Mendis played a bold innings of 120 runs off 122 balls (eleven – 4s and one – 6). Perera drove on luck today being dropped on three occasions during his innings including once at 99 runs. De Silva played well for 55 runs (not out).
Taskin Ahamed was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with 4 wickets off 46 runs in 9 overs. Mehidy Hasan who climbed the ladder to be ranked No 2 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings after his performance in the last match went wicket less today and gave away 48 runs (in 10 overs).
Dushmantha Chameera rattled the Bangladeshi top order taking 3 wickets giving away only 11 runs in his first spell of first six overs. Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan and captain Tamim Iqbal all fell victim to Chameera’s fiery spell. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mosaddek Hossain built a 56-run partnership for the 4th wicket to steady the innings.
However, debutant Ramesh Mendis took the prize wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim for 28 runs. Rahim’s brilliant batting had been the obstacle for Sri Lanka in the first two outings and his wicket when the Bangladesh total was only 84 unsettled the chase. Mosaddek who reached 51 runs gave away his wicket to Ramesh Mendis and had Bangladesh reeling at 125 runs for 5 wickets at the end of 32 overs needing almost 9 runs an over to reach the target,
Dushmantha Chameera 2nd spell was just as lethal as the first and went on to bag his maiden 5 wicket haul only giving away only 16 runs in 9 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga and Ramesh Mendis contributed with 2 wickets each. Debutant Binura Fernando got the last wicket of Mahmudullah (at 53 runs) to limit the host team to 189 runs in 42.3 overs.
The Sri Lankan team looked a totally different unit consistent in all aspects of batting, bowling and fielding. The Sri Lankan captain set the tone with his match winning mood and bringing stability to the Sri Lankan batting. Chameera was spot on from the inception and ensured that Bangladesh batsman were always in check. The Sri Lankan team did make several changes in the playing XI. In addition to Mendis, ODI debuts were made by Chamika Karunaratne and Binura Fernando. Niroshan Dickwella also was given an opportunity in the playing XI.
Most valuable player of the series was Mushfiqur Rahim for his fascinating batting display in this 3-match series (total of 237 runs). Dushmantha Chameera was adjudged the player of the match.
Bangladesh clinches the Bangabandhu ODI Series 2021 and they will cherish this win since it is the first bilateral series triumph over Sri Lanka.
