Bangladesh vs Sri lankaBangladesh Cricket NewsBangladesh CricketersCharith AsalankaCricket NewsInternational CricketInternational MatchesODIODI CricketSri Lanka Cricket NewsSri Lanka Cricketers
Sri Lanka Outclass Bangladesh by 77 Runs to Take 1-0 Lead in ODI Series
Charith Asalanka’s Century and Sri Lankan Spinners Script a Memorable Victory in Colombo
Colombo, July 2 – Sri Lanka began their three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in dominant fashion, registering a comprehensive 77-run victory in the first ODI held at the R Premadasa Stadium. Captain Charith Asalanka’s brilliant century and a fiery spell by Wanindu Hasaranga (4/10) proved pivotal in handing the hosts a 1-0 lead. Bangladesh, despite a solid start to their chase, succumbed to one of their worst collapses in recent memory, folding for just 167.
Sri Lanka Recover from Poor Start with Asalanka’s Heroics
Early Wickets Shake Sri Lanka’s Top Order
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka endured a shaky start, reduced to 29 for 3 within eight overs. Pathum Nissanka fell for a duck, chopping on a delivery from Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Kamindu Mendis was caught at mid-off for a duck off Taskin Ahmed, while Nishan Madushka also fell cheaply.
At the other end, Kusal Mendis played with positive intent, smashing two boundaries and a six off Tanzim in the sixth over. However, it was Charith Asalanka who anchored the innings with composure and maturity.
Asalanka and Kusal Mendis Steady the Ship
The pair added 60 runs for the fourth wicket, stabilizing the innings. Debutant Tanvir Islam broke the stand by trapping Kusal lbw for 45. Asalanka, meanwhile, launched his counterattack with elegance—lofting Taskin over cover for six and slog-sweeping Mehidy Hasan Miraz for another maximum. He reached a 61-ball half-century and built another valuable 50-run stand with Janith Liyanage.
After Liyanage fell for 28, Milan Rathnayake and Asalanka took Sri Lanka to a better position with a 39-run partnership. Taskin and Tanzim picked up key wickets in the death overs, but not before Asalanka brought up his fifth ODI hundred, finishing with a sublime 106. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 244 in 49.2 overs.
Bangladesh Collapse After Strong Opening Stand
Tanzid’s Fifty in Vain as Middle Order Crumbles
Chasing 245, Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and debutant Parvez Hossain Emon began confidently, striking six boundaries in the first five overs. Emon fell for 13 to Asitha Fernando, but Tanzid and Najmul Hossain Shanto added over 70 runs for the second wicket.
Tanzid brought up his fifty off 51 balls, but the match turned dramatically from the 17th over.
Check out Sri Lanka’s recent squad overhaul before this series
One of the Worst Collapses in Bangladesh’s ODI History
What followed was a nightmare for Bangladesh: seven wickets fell for just five runs, turning the score from 100/1 to 105/8. It began with Shanto’s run-out after a risky second run. Then came Wanindu Hasaranga’s game-changing over, where he dismissed both Litton Das (lbw for a duck) and the well-set Tanzid (caught brilliantly by Liyanage at mid-off).
Kamindu Mendis joined the party, picking up four wickets, including Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, and Taskin Ahmed. The middle and lower order failed to resist as Bangladesh looked rattled by Sri Lanka’s spin trio.
Jaker Ali Fights Alone Amid Ruins
A Late but Futile Fightback
With wickets falling like dominoes, Jaker Ali stood tall, trying to resist. He stitched a small stand with Tanvir Islam and later farmed the strike with Mustafizur Rahman. He struck two sixes and several boundaries, bringing up a 59-ball half-century.
However, Hasaranga returned to finish things off, trapping Jaker lbw for 51, ending the match in the 36th over. Bangladesh were all out for 167, suffering a crushing 77-run defeat.
Even a five-run penalty to Sri Lanka for a third slow over-rate infringement didn’t alter the result.
Match Summary
-
Sri Lanka: 244 in 49.2 overs
(Charith Asalanka 106, Kusal Mendis 45; Taskin Ahmed 4/47, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 3/46) -
Bangladesh: 167 in 35.5 overs
(Tanzid Hasan 62, Jaker Ali 51; Wanindu Hasaranga 4/10, Kamindu Mendis 3/19) -
Result: Sri Lanka won by 77 runs
-
Player of the Match: Charith Asalanka
What’s Next?
The second ODI will be crucial for Bangladesh as they aim to bounce back and level the series. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to maintain momentum and seal the series with another disciplined performance.
Learn more about Wanindu Hasaranga’s rise as a top ODI spinner
