In a dramatic ODI, Bangladesh suffered a historic batting collapse losing 7 wickets for just 5 runs handing Sri Lanka a 77-run win. Charith Asalanka’s gritty century anchored Sri Lanka’s innings, while Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis tore through the visitors’ middle order in a 20-ball blitz.
Sri Lanka 244 (Asalanka 106, Mendis 45, Taskin 4-47, Tanzim 3-46) beat Bangladesh 167 (Tanzid 62, Jaker 51, Hasaranga 4-10, Kamindu 3-19) by 77 runs
In a stunning ODI collapse for the ages, Bangladesh fell from 100 for 1 to 105 for 8 in the span of just 20 deliveries, allowing Sri Lanka to claim a 77-run win in the first ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The visitors’ seven-wicket crash for only five runs ranks among the worst in ODI history.
The damage was orchestrated by the spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis who, together, operate like three bowlers in two, with Kamindu’s ambidextrous style. But it wasn’t just bowling; Sri Lanka’s fielding added fuel to the fire. Milan Rathnayake’s pinpoint throw and Janith Liyanage’s flying catch lit the spark Bangladesh couldn’t recover from.
Earlier, Sri Lanka were rescued by their skipper Charith Asalanka, whose composed 106 off 123 balls helped the team recover from an early 29 for 3. His fifth ODI century, second as captain helped Sri Lanka post 244 in 49.2 overs. Taskin Ahmed, returning from injury, bowled with pace and accuracy to take 4 for 47, while Tanzim chipped in with 3 wickets.
Bangladesh were in control chasing 245, especially after Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto built a solid 71-run stand for the second wicket. Shanto fell for 23, run out by Rathnayake in the 17th over, but with Tanzid steady on 61, the visitors looked poised for a smooth chase.
Then came Hasaranga. Introduced in the 18th over as right-hander Litton Das arrived, Hasaranga trapped him lbw second ball for a duck, Litton’s eighth consecutive ODI innings without reaching double figures. Two deliveries later, Tanzid, who had made a well-composed 62, attempted an ill-judged shot and was caught spectacularly by Liyanage at mid-off.
What followed was total mayhem.
Kamindu’s left-arm spin bowled Towhid Hridoy with a delivery that zipped through the defense. Hasaranga then got the new captain Mehidy Hasan lbw with a deceptive googly another duck. In the 21st over, Kamindu claimed two more: Tanzim Hasan was caught by Theekshana at short midwicket, and Taskin Ahmed was trapped in front by Kamindu’s right-arm offbreaks. Suddenly, Bangladesh were 105 for 8.
Theekshana added a scalp when he had Tanvir caught behind, reducing Bangladesh to 111 for 9. Only a spirited 51 by Jaker Ali, featuring four sixes and four fours, prevented the margin from reaching triple digits.
Sri Lanka’s innings earlier had been in tatters before Asalanka’s rescue act. After electing to bat, the hosts crumbled to 29 for 3. Tanzim struck first, removing Pathum Nissanka for a duck, while Taskin dismissed both Nishan Madushka and Kamindu for ducks as well.
Kusal Mendis then combined with Asalanka for a cautious 60-run stand before being lbw to debutant Tanvir for 45. Asalanka found some support from Janith Liyanage (29) and Rathnayake (19), forging partnerships of 64 and 39 respectively. Even though wickets kept falling, Asalanka stood firm, batting deep into the innings and bringing up his hundred in the 48th over.
His knock laced with six fours and four sixes not only lifted Sri Lanka to a competitive total but also saw him join legends like Sanath Jayasuriya, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar as one of the few to score four ODI centuries at this iconic venue.
In the end, it was his composure and the Lankan spinners’ artistry that defined the match—a complete turnaround from 29 for 3 to a thumping 77-run victory.
