By Brian Thomas
Sri Lanka looked out of contention after being bowled out for just 244 on a placid pitch. However, despite a fantastic start, Bangladesh—cruising at 99 for 1 in 16.3 overs—saw the match turn on its head.
A brilliant run-out, improvised by the golden arm of Milan Ratnayaka to dismiss Najmul Shanto for 23, sparked a dramatic collapse. Bangladesh lost 7 wickets for just 6 runs, crashing to 105 for 8.
It was a “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” moment, as Sri Lanka stunned everyone with their fielding brilliance. Wanindu Hasaranga was outstanding, taking 4 wickets for just 10 runs, while Kamindu Mendis made up for his batting failure by claiming 3 for 19. The Bangladeshi batters were completely out of sorts—playing the wrong lines against Sri Lanka’s spinners and gifting their wickets away in an appalling collapse that even shocked Sri Lankan supporters.
Bangladesh eventually reached 167, thanks largely to Jaker Ali’s resistance. He fought hard with the tail to score 51 in a losing cause. Opener Tanzid Hasan contributed 62 before falling to a Hasaranga googly. Credit for that wicket, however, should go to Janith Liyanage for a sensational, airborne catch at long-off—arguably the best of the series so far.
Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan captain, was named Player of the Match for his batting brilliance. The left-hander scored his fifth ODI century—106 off 127 balls—with 6 boundaries and 4 towering sixes.
Kusal Mendis supported with 48, Janith Liyanage added 29, and both Wanindu Hasaranga and Milan Ratnayaka chipped in with valuable 22-run cameos.
Sri Lanka’s top order—Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, and Kamindu Mendis—failed, leaving them reeling at 29 for 3 in 6.4 overs.
Taskin Ahmed was unplayable with the new ball, taking 4 for 47, while Tanzim Sakib added 3 for 46.
Ultimately, a poor batting effort and panic under pressure cost Bangladesh the game, as Sri Lanka take a 1–0 lead in the series.
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