Bangladesh did prove its superiority over Sri Lanka in the One Day International format when they wrapped up the three match series 2/1 against the visitors having won the 3rd and final decider by 4 wickets at Chattogram yesterday.
Sri Lanka who won the toss and elected to bat first eventually put up a below par score of 235 runs after being in deep trouble earlier at 154 for 7 in the 34th over of play. The visitors saved face when their number six batter Janith Liyanage playing in only his ninth ODI game scored a superb century after the cream of the top order were back in the hut.
Liyanage along with number batter Maheesh Theekshana who scored an invaluable 15 runs off 40 deliveries stitched together a 60 run partnership off 14 overs to give their bowlers something to defend.
Janith’s maiden century came off 101 deliveries and contained 11 fours and 2 sixes.
Bangladeshi pacie Taskin Ahmed who sent both the Lankan openers back to the pavilion by the 4th over and later took the wicket of bowler Pramodh Madushan ended with fine figures of 3 for 42 off his quota of 10 overs. Taskin also managed to slip in one maiden over.
The Bangladesh openers then gave their team a solid platform to chase down the target by putting on exactly 50 runs before Sri Lanka’s express paceman Lahiru Kumara who ended up with four wickets eventually claimed the wicket of Amanul Haq for 12.
However Tanzid Hasan who came on as a concussion substitute for Saumyar Sakar after he took a tumble on the boundary line whilst fielding, anchored the innings and scored 84 brilliant runs inclusive of 9 fours and 4 sweetly timed sixes.
After suffering a slight stutter at 178 for 6, Bangladesh eventually romped home for no further loss of any wickets when number eight batter Rishad Hossain thumped a whirlwind knock off 48 not out off a mere 18 deliveries which included 5 fours and 4 sixes to see the the home team to victory, whilst Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 37 runs at the other end.
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka 235 all out in 50 overs (Janith Liyanage 101 not out, Charith Asalanka 37, Taskin Ahmend 3 for 42, Mustafizur Rahman 2 for 39, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2 for 38)
Bangladesh 237 for 6 in 40.2 overs (Tanzid Hasan 84, Rishad Hossain 48 not out, Mushfiqur Rahim 37 not out, Lahiru Kumara 4 for 48, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 64)
Player of the Match – Rishad Hossain
Player of the Series – Najmal Hossain Shanto
