Kusal Mendis’ ton propels Sri Lanka to eighth successive ODI series win

Kusal Mendis’s sixth ODI hundred and an all-round bowling effort helped Sri Lanka fetch their eighth successive series win at home when it came to bilateral ODIs, as they beat Bangladesh by 99 runs in the third and final ODI in Pallekele. Kusal’s majestic 124, along with Charith Asalanka’s 58, guided Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 285 for 7. In reply, Bangladesh could only muster up 186, with Towhid Hridoy’s 51 the lone act of valiance as Dushmantha Chameera (3-51), Asitha Fernando (3-33), Dunith Wellalage (2-33) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-35) got the job done to deliver a 2-1 finish for Sri Lanka in the ODI series.

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka were pegged back early as Nishan Madushka, who seemed to be timing the ball reasonably well from the word go, fell to Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the fourth over. A steady partnership between Kusal and Pathum Nissanka ensued as they steered Sri Lanka to 51/1 after 10 overs. A dry spell ensued as Bangladesh kept things tight and were eventually rewarded when Nissanka attempted an ill-fated slog-sweep off Tanvir Islam. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal then stroked a few boundaries but their partnership was terminated by Mehidy Hasan Miraz who nabbed the former in front after Sri Lanka reached 100 in the 21st over.

Kusal found able company in skipper Asalanka as Bangladesh navigated the next 20 overs unscathed. During this period, the pair rustled up a century partnership, with Asalanka crossing 50 and Kusal accomplishing a hundred in 95 balls. Save for one missed stumping chance, when the wicketkeeper fumbled the collection, it was an innings in which Kusal looked absolutely at home. The fourth wicket alliance, which set the tone for Sri Lanka heading into the death overs, produced 124 runs. It came to an end in the 41st when Asalanka perished to Taskin, trying to hit the ball over long-on, leaving Sri Lanka at 224 for 4.

Kusal trie shouldering the responsibility to lead the batting side towards the 300-run mark but Bangladesh restricted the scoring avenues to keep Sri Lanka in firm check. He ultimately managed a four off Mehidy in the 45th over after boundary-less overs. However, in the same over, Janith Liyanage was dismissed hit-wicket, leaving Sri Lanka five down. It became 259 for 7 by the end of the 47th over as Kusal offered a return catch to Shamim Hossain while Taskin had Wellalage caught at cover off a leading edge. Hasaranga and Chameera hit three fours between them to elbow Sri Lanka past 280, although Mustafizur Rahman finished the proceedings well, conceding only four runs in the last over.

The chase began bumpily for Bangladesh, who lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto inside the first four overs to be reduced to 20 for 2. Tanzid, who blazed off the blocks with three boundaries, chopped an Asitha Fernando delivery onto the stumps to walk back for 17. Shanto, the former captain, was castled by Chameera for a duck. Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy joined forces to stage Bangladesh’s recovery but their stand was cut short at 42 as the former found deep mid-wicket upon attempting a slog-sweep off Wellalage.

Mehidy kicked up the tempo, pulling Chameera over mid-wicket for the first six of the match, but Wellalage sent him back soon. Shamim now partnered with Hridoy but Sri Lanka wwere in no mood to relent, dealing another timely blow as the No. 6 batter was out stumped off Hasaranga, leaving Bangladesh in an absolute tizzy at 124/5 in the 28th over.

Hridoy scored a fighting half-century, off 75 balls, but Bangladesh lost the set batter sshortly after the landmark, with Chameera knocking the stumps over. The pacer picked up his third wicket by getting Tanzim caught behind, while Taskin Ahmed was done in by Fernando as Sri Lanka torpedoed Bangladesh to 171/8. Only 15 more runs could be added after that by the visitors, with Fernando thwarting Jaker Ali’s stay on 27 while Hasaranga sealed the deal to shoot Bangladesh out with 10.2 overs still left in their innings.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 285/7 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 124, Charith Asalanka 58; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-48, Taskin Ahmed 2-51) beat Bangladesh 186 in 39.4 overs (Towhid Hridoy 51; Asitha Fernando 3-33, Dushmantha Chameera 3-51) by 99 runs.