Kusal Mendis smashed a scintillating century while Sri Lanka’s seamers tore through Bangladesh’s batting to secure a dominant 99-run win and seal the ODI series. This masterclass of power-hitting and disciplined bowling leaves fans wondering if Sri Lanka’s resurgence has truly begun.
Kusal’s 124 the Backbone of Sri Lanka’s Commanding Series Win Over Bangladesh
Sri Lanka claimed the ODI series against Bangladesh with a resounding 99-run win in the final match, powered by Kusal Mendis’ dazzling 124 and a ruthless bowling display led by Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera. Bangladesh, chasing 286, were bowled out for 186 in 39.3 overs.
Kusal Mendis’ 124 from 114 deliveries formed the foundation of Sri Lanka’s 285 for 7. His 124-run partnership with Charith Asalanka (58 off 68) was the defining phase of Sri Lanka’s innings. While Bangladesh’s bowlers applied pressure early and late holding Sri Lanka to just 62 in the final 10 overs, Kusal and Asalanka’s middle-overs blitz gave the visitors a commanding total.
Bangladesh never got going in their chase. At 20 for 2 in the fourth over, and 62 for 3 by the 14th, the hosts looked rattled. Towhid Hridoy battled with a fifty, but the required run rate ballooned, and no partnerships emerged to threaten Sri Lanka. Asitha Fernando took 3 for 33 in seven overs, exploiting stumps-targeting tactics he had used all tour. Dushmantha Chameera’s 3 for 51 included a beauty that bowled Hridoy. Hasaranga and Wellalage chipped in with two wickets each.
Bangladesh’s bright spot was their bowling to Sri Lanka’s top order, keeping them to 100 for 3 in 21 overs. They also snared four wickets in the final 10. Yet, the damage done by Kusal and Asalanka in the middle overs set up Sri Lanka’s win.
Kusal Mendis’ innings was a masterclass in punishing anything short. He dominated both pace and spin with his short-arm pulls and sweeps, scoring 82 of his 124 runs on the leg side. He looked untroubled from start to finish, easing through the powerplay with 25 off 26 and racing from 90 to 100 in just six balls.
While Asalanka didn’t find the middle of the bat as often, he cleverly maneuvered spin, sweeping productively and using his feet well. Six of his nine boundaries came on the leg side.
The Kusal-Asalanka stand was broken by Taskin Ahmed, who removed Asalanka with a low full toss mis-hit to mid-on. Kusal added one more four before falling to a tired swing off Shamim Hossain in the 46th over.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers then went to work. Asitha dismissed Tanzid Hasan caught behind in the third over, while Chameera got Shanto chopping onto his stumps in the fourth. Then the spinners took control. Hasaranga and Wellalage bagged two wickets each, choking the middle order. With Bangladesh 124 for 5 in the 28th over, it was only a matter of time.
After the spinners softened up the lower order, the seamers returned to finish the job. Other than Hridoy, no Bangladesh batter crossed 30, and the hosts were all out inside 40 overs.
