Bangladesh crushes Sri Lanka by 83 runs to level the T20I series, thanks to Litton Das’ gritty 76 and Shamim Hossain’s explosive 48. Rishad and seamers dominate with the ball as Sri Lanka collapse in front of a home crowd.
Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka by 83 Runs to Level Series in Dambulla Thriller
Bangladesh finally ended their six-match losing streak in sensational style by demolishing Sri Lanka by 83 runs in front of a packed house in Dambulla, squaring the three-match T20I series 1-1. The victory was built on Litton Das’ return to form with a composed 76 off 50 balls and Shamim Hossain’s game-changing 48 off just 27 deliveries.
Batting first, Bangladesh posted a competitive 177 for 7. While Litton anchored the innings, it was Shamim’s arrival in the 12th over that truly shifted the tide. Arriving at a critical juncture with wickets tumbling, Shamim counterattacked with aggressive strokeplay, hammering Sri Lanka’s top bowlers including Theekshana, Thushara, and Binura. His knock featured just five dot balls, and his high-octane approach provided the momentum Bangladesh needed to post a challenging total.
Sri Lanka’s chase never gained traction. Bangladesh’s bowling attack, rejuvenated with the inclusion of Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam, struck early and often. Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 18, while Shoriful chipped in with 2 for 12. The hosts were bundled out for just 94 in 15.2 overs.
Pathum Nissanka was the only Sri Lankan batter to cross 30, while the rest of the middle and lower order crumbled. Key power-hitters like Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, and Charith Asalanka failed to counter Bangladesh’s disciplined attack. Dasun Shanaka’s dismissal in the 12th over for 73 effectively sealed the game. The disheartened crowd began to exit the stadium soon after.
Litton Das, who had been under pressure with no 50-plus scores in his last 13 innings, was granted a couple of lifelines — first on 30 when Mendis missed a wide leg break stumping, and again on 56 when Theekshana dropped him at mid-off. He capitalized, adding 20 crucial runs to shift the game’s momentum. Shamim added spark not just with the bat but also on the field, running out Mendis and catching Avishka with a sprinting effort.
Sri Lanka’s batting depth was truly exposed as their top order failed to replicate the fireworks seen in the previous game in Kandy. Without early fireworks from Kusal Mendis or Nissanka, the middle order faltered under pressure.
Bangladesh’s all-round performance — with impactful contributions in all departments — handed them a much-needed morale boost ahead of the series decider.
Top Bangladesh Performers:
- Litton Das: 76 (50 balls)
- Shamim Hossain: 48 (27 balls), 2 key fielding dismissals
- Rishad Hossain: 3/18
- Shoriful Islam: 2/12
Sri Lanka’s Top Performer:
- Pathum Nissanka: 32 runs
Match Summary:
Bangladesh 177 for 7 (Litton 76, Shamim 48, Binura 3-31)
beat
Sri Lanka 94 (Nissanka 32, Rishad 3-18, Shoriful 2-12) by 83 runs
