Kusal Mendis hit a brilliant century as Sri Lanka took the three-match ODI series 2-1, thrashing Bangladesh by 99 runs in the third and final game at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today [8 July].
Kusal blasted a 114 ball-124 to lead Sri Lanka to a challenging 285-7, a total that they comfortably defended by wrapping up Bangladesh for 186 in 39.2 overs.
Sri Lanka's seam pair of Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando caused the havoc by sharing six wickets.
Towhid Hridoy made team best 51, his consecutive second fifty plus knock in the series before falling to Chameera, finishing with 3-51.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 28 each. Dunith Wellalage removed both of them to eventually claim 2-33.
Fernando who returned figures of 3-33, gave the side a breakthrough, having rattled the stump of Tanzid Hasan Tamim with a toe-crushing inswinging yorker.
Tanzid who made a boundary-filled start was unable to evade that pinpoint yorker that ended his promising 13 ball-17.
Chameera dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto for a three-ball-duck with similar delivery before Emon and Hridoy looked to have steadied the ship.
Wellalage broke the 42-run partnership by getting rid of Emon before he got the side another breakthrough when Miraz and Hridoy kept the things under control.
Wellalage denied the duo prolonging the partnership, having taken the wicket of Miraz.
Wanindu Hasaranga stepped up at this phase to further torment Bangladesh. He had Shamim Patwari stumped for 12 to leave Bangladesh five down for 124 in 28th over.
Chameera then returned to his second spell to dismiss Hridoy as Bangladesh’s hope to win the game was completely shattered.
Jaker Ali fought as usually to make 27 before falling to Fernando as the ninth batter and Hasaranga wrapped up Bangladesh innings, getting the better of Tanvir Islam.
Earlier, after an early setback following the captain Charith Asalanka’s decision to bat first, Kusal steadied the ship with an eye-catching 114 ball-124, an innings laced with 18 boundaries.
