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eNCA
10-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Sri Lanka steamroll Bangladesh to win first T20
PALLEKELE - Sri Lanka drew first blood in the three-match T20I series with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Bangladesh at Pallekele on Thursday, coasting home with an over to spare. Chasing a modest target of 155, skipper Charith Asalanka fittingly put the seal on the game by launching Tanzim Hasan straight down the ground for six, much to the delight of a holiday crowd that turned up in numbers. The foundations for the win were laid early, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis cutting loose from the word go. The pair added a blistering 78 runs in just 28 deliveries, making full use of the powerplay as Sri Lanka raced to 83 for one, their highest ever score in the first six overs of a T20 International, eclipsing the previous best of 75 against India in 2018. Nissanka set the tone by dispatching the first ball of the innings to the fence, and he never looked back. The right-hander smashed five fours and three sixes in a whirlwind 42 off just 16 balls before perishing, but the damage had been done. Mendis, fresh off a match-winning hundred in the ODI series decider at the same venue, picked up where he left off. His 73 came off 51 deliveries and featured five boundaries and three sixes. The wicketkeeper played the anchor role to perfection, ensuring the chase stayed firmly on track without resorting to high-risk strokes. Kusal Perera added to the fireworks, reverse-sweeping Shamim Hossain into the stands and sharing a brisk 42-run stand with Mendis as Sri Lanka maintained the upper hand throughout. Earlier, Bangladesh flattered to deceive. After being sent into bat, openers Parvez Hossain and Tanzid Hasan gave the visitors a flying start, adding 46 runs off 30 balls. But once the first wicket fell, the wheels came off with the middle order struggling to shift gears and playing into Sri Lanka's hands. Dasun Shanaka, recalled to side after almost a year, marked his return with a tidy spell of four overs for just 22 runs and a wicket, helping choke the flow of runs in the middle overs. AFP | Ishara S. KODIKARA Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, drafted in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, also made his presence felt with a disciplined four-over spell that cost just 25 runs and included a wicket. On a flat deck that offered little for the bowlers, Bangladesh's total of 155 always looked under par. Despite a few tidy spells, the visitors lacked the firepower to contain a rampant Sri Lankan batting line-up on a flat deck. The teams now move to Dambulla for the second game of the series on Sunday.
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Kusal Mendis Slams 6th ODI Ton, Powers Sri Lanka To 2-1 Series Win Over Bangladesh
Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis slammed his sixth ODI hundred, which guided the hosts to a comfortable 99-run victory over Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. With this win, the Islanders clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1, as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) official website. Mendis smashed a superb 124 from just 115 deliveries as Sri Lanka amassed 285/7 in the series decider, and that proved too much for Bangladesh as they were bundled out for 186 in reply. It saw Sri Lanka clinch a 2-1 series triumph, with Mendis hitting his sixth ODI century and deservedly named Player of the Series for his 225 runs across the three matches. For the right-hander, it was a case of redemption as he was dismissed for 56 in the second match of the series in Colombo when well set in Sri Lanka's run chase as Bangladesh went on to record a series-levelling 16-run win. Mendis was thrilled to make a contribution to the victory, especially after the disappointment surrounding the loss in the second match of the series. "Very pleased with the knock today. I was disappointed with what happened in Colombo. I had got a start and couldn't finish. Here I was determined to bat through the innings and very satisfied," he said after the match, as quoted by the ICC. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was one of six batters to reach double figures in the Pallekele contest with 28, rued the lack of any meaningful partnerships during the run chase as the Asian side were dismissed in the 40th over in reply. "We just couldn't put together partnerships like Sri Lanka. They had a big partnership after they lost three wickets for 100 runs. Partnerships in the middle overs are crucial. We got a couple of 40s, but winning is hard without these partnerships in ODI cricket," Mehidy said. The teams will now face off in a three-match T20I series, with the first game to be played in Pallekele on Thursday.
Gulf Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Rampant Lanka crush Bangladesh in third match to seal ODI series
Sri Lanka stormed to a 99-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at Pallekele on Tuesday, sealing the three-match series 2-1 with a clinical all-round display. Set a challenging target of 286, Bangladesh faltered under pressure and were bundled out for 186 inside 40 overs as Sri Lanka flexed their bowling muscle to wrap up the contest with ease. The victory caps a remarkable turnaround for Sri Lanka in the 50-over format since their dismal World Cup campaign in India in 2023, where they finished ninth and failed to qualify for this year's Champions Trophy. Since that debacle, they have won seven of nine ODI series, including notable triumphs over heavyweights Australia and India. 'This is probably one of our best games,' Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said. 'We were under pressure and we wanted to win badly and Kusal Mendis was superb today. When we ended up scoring 285, we knew we had the runs on the board and the bowlers' job became easy.' The architect of the series-deciding win against Bangladesh was indeed Mendis, who silenced his critics with 124 off 114 balls - his sixth ODI hundred. The wicketkeeper-batter came into the game under fire after his rash dismissal during Sri Lanka's 16-run defeat in the second ODI in Colombo. But at Pallekele, with the series on the line, Mendis dropped anchor and rebuilt the innings with a mature knock laced with 18 boundaries. Coming in during the fourth over, he put on a vital 124-run stand for the fourth wicket with skipper Asalanka to lay the foundation for a competitive total. 'Very pleased with the knock today. Was disappointed with what happened in Colombo. I had got a start and couldn't finish,' said Mendis, who was named man of the match and player of the series. 'Here I was determined to bat through the innings and very satisfied.' At one stage the hosts looked set for a 300-plus total, but Bangladesh clawed back with tight death bowling to restrict them to 285 for seven. The target proved to be a tall ask once the tourists' top order caved in. Dushmantha Chameera, returning to the fold in this series after more than a year on the sidelines due to injury, hit the deck hard and was a handful with the new ball. The right-arm quick rattled the stumps of in-form Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) with a gem that jagged back sharply to kiss the top of off. With Towhid Hridoy then offering some resistance with a half-century, Chameera returned to breach his defence with another sharp in-swinging delivery that crashed through the gate. Agencies
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kusal Mendis' stellar performance steers Sri Lanka to 2-1 ODI series win against Bangladesh
Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) Sri Lanka secured a 2-1 ODI series victory against Bangladesh with a commanding 99-run win in the final match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, powered by Kusal Mendis's outstanding innings of 124 runs from 115 balls, earning him the Player of the Series award. Sri Lanka posted a total of 285/7 in the decisive match, with Mendis's sixth ODI century leading the charge. Bangladesh's chase fell well short as they were dismissed for 186 runs in the 40th over. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Mendis accumulated 225 runs across the three-match series, showcasing his batting prowess throughout the contest. His performance was particularly significant following his dismissal for 56 in the second match at Colombo, where Bangladesh had leveled the series with a 16-run victory. "Very pleased with the knock today. I was disappointed with what happened in Colombo. I had got a start and couldn't finish. Here I was determined to bat through the innings and very satisfied," Mendis said after the match. Poll Will the upcoming T20I series be more competitive than the ODI series? Yes, definitely No, Sri Lanka will dominate Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who contributed 28 runs in the final match, acknowledged his team's inability to build substantial partnerships during their chase. He was one of only six Bangladesh batsmen to reach double figures in the match. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One plan. Total peace of mind. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo "We just couldn't put together partnerships like Sri Lanka. They had a big partnership after they lost three wickets for 100 runs. Partnerships in the middle overs are crucial. We got a couple of 40s, but winning is hard without these partnerships in ODI cricket," Mehidy stated. The two teams will now shift their focus to the upcoming three-match T20I series, with the first game scheduled to take place in Pallekele on Thursday. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
News18
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Kusal Mendis Helps Sri Lanka Crush Bangladesh By 99 Runs To Seal ODI Series
This victory over Bangladesh marks a significant turnaround for Sri Lanka in the 50-over format after their disappointing World Cup campaign in India two years ago, where they finished ninth and didn't qualify for this year's Champions Trophy. Since that setback, Sri Lanka has won seven out of nine ODI series, including notable wins against cricket powerhouses Australia and India. 'This is probably one of our best games," Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka remarked. 'We were under pressure and wanted to win badly, and Kusal Mendis was superb today. Scoring 285 gave us confidence, making the bowlers' job easier." The key cricketer in the series-deciding victory over Bangladesh was indeed Mendis, who answered his critics with 124 runs off 114 deliveries, his sixth ODI hundred. The wicketkeeper-batter faced scrutiny after his rash dismissal in Sri Lanka's 16-run loss in the second ODI in Colombo. However, at Pallekele, with the series at stake, Mendis anchored the innings and rebuilt it with a mature knock featuring 18 fours. Coming in during the fourth over, Mendis formed a crucial 124-run stand for the fourth wicket with skipper Asalanka, setting the foundation for a competitive total. 'I'm very pleased with my performance today. I was disappointed with my outing in Colombo. I got a start but couldn't finish," said Mendis, who was named man of the match and player of the series. 'Today, I was determined to bat through the innings and am very satisfied." At one point, the hosts seemed poised for a 300-plus total, but Bangladesh fought back with tight death bowling to restrict them to 285/7. The target proved too challenging once the tourists' top order collapsed. Dushmantha Chameera, returning after more than a year out because of injury, was formidable with the new ball. The right-arm quick bowled in-form Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) with a ball that jagged back to hit the top of off stump. Towhid Hridoy offered some resistance with a fifty, but Chameera returned to breach his defense with another sharp in-swinging ball. Chameera finished with 3/51 and was well-supported by Asitha Fernando, who claimed three wickets as well. The sides will now compete in a three-match T20I series beginning Thursday, at Pallekele as well.
