Janith's Heroics Not Enough as Bangladesh Claim Series

Janith Liyanage’s battling 101 went in vain as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 235, a total Bangladesh’s bowlers backed up by keeping things tight to register a 33-run win and claim the three-match ODI series 2-1 in Dhaka.

The promising Liyanage arrived at the crease with Sri Lanka struggling at 95 for 4 in the 23rd over. He anchored the innings superbly, reaching his maiden ODI century off 102 balls with some clean hitting through the off-side.

But he found little support from the other end as Bangladesh’s seamers made regular inroads. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam were the standout bowlers, snaring 3 for 42 and none for 55 respectively. The spinners Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam also chipped in with important wickets as Sri Lanka slipped from 154 for 4 to 218 for 8.

Despite losing his ninth wicket partner Maheesh Theekshana to a excellent running catch by Tanzid Hasan at deep midwicket off Soumya Sarkar, Liyanage marshalled the tail to push Sri Lanka past the 230-mark before being the last man out.

In the chase, the Sri Lankan seamers created some early chances but failed to make inroads as Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das put on a solid 63-run stand.

Das fell for 39 but Najmul Hossain Shanto joined Tamim to share an 89-run stand for the second wicket to keep Bangladesh firmly in control.

Tamim fell five runs short of a deserved half-century in the 32nd over. However, the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and Shanto added 53 for the fourth wicket to take the sting out of the Sri Lankan attack.

Shanto missed out on a hundred, run out for 93 but Afif Hossain hit an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls to take Bangladesh home with 13 balls to spare.

Liyanage’s knock was a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s future talent, but Bangladesh’s all-round bowling display and solid batting effort showed they were full value for their series win on home soil.