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Sri Lanka rode on Kusal Mendis's sensational centurion knock to annihilate Bangladesh by 99 runs in the third ODI in Pallekele on July 8 to seal the three-match series 2-1. Notably, this was Sri Lanka's eighth consecutive home ODI series victory.
Mendis' impressive knock of 124, which was his sixth ODI ton, along with a valuable 58 from Charith Asalanka, laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's competitive total of 285/7. In response, Bangladesh were bowled out for 186, with Towhid Hridoy's half-century being the sole performer. Dushmantha Chameera (3-51), Asitha Fernando (3-33), Dunith Wellalage (2-33), and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-35) shared the wickets, ensuring Sri Lanka's 2-1 series victory.
Sri Lanka win series with 99-run victory over Bangladesh in 3rd ODI
Sri Lanka chose to bat first but faced an early setback when Nishan Madushka was dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the fourth over after hitting a couple of boundaries. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka then formed a steady partnership, taking Sri Lanka to 51 for 1 after the initial ten overs. However, Sri Lanka's scoring rate slowed down in the subsequent overs as Bangladesh's bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths. Their efforts were rewarded when Nissanka attempted a slog-sweep off Tanvir Islam and was caught. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis then struck a few boundaries, but their partnership was broken by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who trapped Kamindu Mendis leg-before-wicket after Sri Lanka reached 100 in the 21st over.
Kusal Mendis found excellent support in skipper Charith Asalanka as Bangladesh went wicketless for nearly 20 overs. During this period, the pair forged a brisk century partnership, with Asalanka reaching his half-century and Kusal Mendis reaching his century in 95 balls. Apart from a missed stumping opportunity, where the wicketkeeper failed to collect the ball cleanly, Kusal Mendis looked completely in control throughout his innings. This crucial fourth-wicket stand yielded 124 runs, providing a solid platform for Sri Lanka heading into the final overs. The partnership came to an end in the 41st over when Asalanka was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed while attempting to hit the ball over long-on, leaving Sri Lanka at 224 for 4.
The responsibility fell on Kusal Mendis to guide the Sri Lankan batting lineup towards the 300-run mark. However, Bangladesh's bowlers tightened their grip, effectively restricting Sri Lanka's scoring opportunities. After four consecutive boundary-less overs, Kusal Mendis managed to hit a four off Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 45th over. But in the same over, Janith Liyanage was unfortunately dismissed hit-wicket, leaving Sri Lanka at five wickets down. By the end of the 47th over, the score had reached 259 for 7 as Kusal Mendis offered a catch back to Shamim Hossain off a leading edge, while Taskin Ahmed had Dunith Wellalage caught at cover off a top-edge. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera managed to hit three boundaries between them, pushing Sri Lanka's total past 280. However, Mustafizur Rahman bowled an excellent final over, conceding only four runs.
Bangladesh's chase got off to a poor start, losing both their openers, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, within the first four overs, leaving them struggling at 20 for 2. Tanzid, who had started aggressively with three boundaries, played an Asitha Fernando delivery onto his stumps and was dismissed for 17. Shanto, the former captain, was bowled by Dushmantha Chameera for a duck. Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy attempted to revive the innings for Bangladesh, but their partnership was cut short at 42 when Emon was caught at deep mid-wicket off Dunith Wellalage while attempting a slog-sweep.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz then scored a flurry of boundaries and even managed to pull Dushmantha Chameera for the first six of the match over mid-wicket. However, Dunith Wellalage ended his stay by enticing him out of his crease, resulting in a catch at long-off. Shamim Hossain tried to build a partnership with Towhid Hridoy, but Sri Lanka struck again at a crucial moment as Shamim Hossain was stumped off Wanindu Hasaranga, leaving Bangladesh in trouble at 124 for 5 in the 28th over.
Towhid Hridoy displayed resilience and brought up a hard-fought half-century off 75 balls. However, Bangladesh suffered another setback soon after as Hridoy was bowled by Dushmantha Chameera. The same bowler then picked up his third wicket by getting Tanzim Hasan Sakib to edge one to the wicketkeeper, while Taskin Ahmed was bowled by Asitha Fernando, reducing Bangladesh to 171 for 8. Only 15 more runs were added to the total after that, with Asitha Fernando dismissing Jaker Ali for 27 and Wanindu Hasaranga taking the final wicket, bowling Bangladesh out for 186 in just 39.4 overs.
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