Sports Reporter :
Sri Lanka drew the three-match ODI series 1-1 defeating Bangladesh by 70 runs in the third ODI match at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Saturday.
Earlier, Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka by 90 runs in the first ODI at Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on March 25.
Later, the second ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was abandoned due to heavy rain at the same venue on March 28.
Sent into bat first, Sri Lanka piled up a healthy total of 280 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then all out Bangladesh for 210 of 44.3 overs.
Bangladesh faced an early debacle losing three wickets for 11 runs.
Then Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan repaired the damage contributing together 77 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Sarkar was stumped out by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal off Dilruwan Perera when Bangladesh’s total was 88 for the loss of four wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan hit a superb 54. His 62-ball innings was laced with seven fours. He was caught by Danushka Gunathilaka off Dilruwan Perera when the team’s total was 118 for the loss of six wickets. It was Shakib’s 34th ODI half century.
Later, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed built another notable partnership. They put on together 54 runs before Miraz was caught at the cover by Upul Tharanga off Nuwan Kulasekara when the Tigers’ score was 209 for the loss of nine wickets.
Miraz notched up a splendid 51. His 71-ball knock was laced with six fours. It was his second ODI half century.
Soumya Sarkar was the other notable scorer for Bangladesh who made 38 from 44 balls featuring three fours and a sixer.
Nuwan Kulasekara was the day’s most successful bowler. He captured four wickets instead of 37 runs.
Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera bagged a couple of wickets each at the cost of 33, 38 and 47 runs respectively.
Earlier, Sri Lanka made a solid start as Danushka Gunathilaka and Upul Tharanga, the two openers added 76 runs for the opening partnership before Gunathilaka was caught by Mahmudullah Riyad off Mehedi Hasan Miraz.
Then Upul Tharanga could stay at the crease for a short period as he was bowled out by Taskin Ahmed when Sri Lanka’s score was 87 for the loss of two wickets.
After dismissal of Tharanga, one-down Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal added together 49 runs for the third wicket partnership before Chandimal (21) was run out by a joint effort by Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim when the hosts’ total was 136 for the loss of three wickets.
Kusal Mendis hit a worthy 54 off 76 balls. He hit four fours before he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Mustafizur Rahman when Sri Lanka’s score was 194 for the loss of five wickets. It was Kusal’s 10th ODI half century.
Thisara Perera hammered a marvellous 52 off 40 balls. He hit four fours and a six before he was caught at the short fine leg by Taskin Ahmed off Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when Sri Lanka’s total was 277 for the loss of nine wickets. It was Perera’s eighth ODI half century.
Upul Tharanga, Gunathilaka, Gunaratne added 35, 34 and 34 runs respectively to the hosts’ total.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza claimed three wickets at the cost of 65 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman bagged a couple of wickets for 55 runs.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed got one wicket each conceding 49 and 50 runs respectively.
Thisara Perera was adjudged the Man of the Match, while Kusal Mendis was adjudged the Player of the Series.
