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| @Kusal Mendis reacting after scoring a century vs Bangladesh 2025 |
Match Snapshot
Date: 8 July 2025 Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy Format: 3 rd and Last ODI Series Result: Sri Lanka won the series 2-1 Match Result: Sri Lanka defeats Bangladesh in a game by 99 runs Toss winner: Sri Lanka (elected to bat) Sri Lanka Inning: 285/7 (50 overs)
Sri Lanka also managed a respectable score of 285/7 in 50 overs.
Top Performers:
- Kusal Mendis: 124 runs in 114 balls (18 fours) - he took the innings in hand and played aggressively without losing control
- Charith Asalanka (Captain): 58 off 68 balls - gave great base alongside Mendis
Bangladesh were bowled out in response to a meager 186 losing by 99 runs in pursuit of 286.
Important Bangladesh Performances:
- Tawhid Hridoy: 51 off 78 balls - only half-century in a melt down
- Parvez Hossain Emon: 28 off 44 balls - steady but too slow hard-hitting back
Sri Lanka Bowling Power: The offense of Sri Lanka
The bowlers of Sri Lanka built a systematic defense of the target as they took wickets in a balanced effort.
Outstanding Bowling Statistics:
- Dushmantha Chameera: 3/51 - inclusion of sharp inswingers helped him take vital scalps such as Najmul Shanto and Tawhid Hridoy
- Asitha Fernando: 3/33, clean-bowled Tanzid Hasan; three wickets
- Dunith Wellalage: 2/33- controlled and hit to part partnerships
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 2/35 trapped Tanvir Islam leg-before-wicket and bowled the last wicket and won the match
- Man of the Match: Kusal Mendis, who scored 124 runs that helped define the match
- Player of the Series: Kusal Mendis who finished with 225 runs in three ODIs
- This was also a continuation of Sri Lanka dominance in home ODIs, having never lost a bilateral series at home in 12 successive bilateral series (last being in 2021 against India).
- The win was also a successful comeback after their dismal showing in the 2023 World Cup and also their seventh series win in nine in ODIs including over India and Australia .
- This was another lost opportunity by Bangladesh; they have not yet managed a series victory in Sri Lanka and their vulnerabilities in the batting line particularly in the power play left them unable to win.
Tactical Insights:
- The astute use of conditions: The skipper Asalanka won the toss and bowled first. The pitch became soft in the second half of the game to benefit spinners
- Middle-order Stability: Sri Lanka lost the top-order quite early but this was compensated by the 124-run partnership between Mendis and Asalanka, who were able to offer stability.
- Bowling Plan in Pursuit: Sri Lanka showed a very impressive planning: the fast bowlers removed the top order, the spinners did the rest in the middle period, and the new-ballers such as Chameera and Fernando were spot-on all the way.
- Fumbled on the front bench: They were weak at the start of the pursuit, with fast wickets and opening up the middle order.
- Hope against defeat: The half-century by Hridoy was an indication of good intentions, yet line-up consistency was not there.
- Bowling too late, too little: Their spinners held the tail-end matches alright, but could not avert the last minute runs of SL.
Both the teams now move on to the T20I series with the 3-1 Test series already under their belt and this ODI victory, Three Match T20I match scheduled on 10 July, at the same venue.
Sri Lanka comes in as the favorites, with so much momentum. Bangladesh will rely on their youthful nucleus to continue to add positivism and seek redemption in the shortest format.
Match by the Numbers
Aspect Sri Lanka Bangladesh
Batting Highlights Mendis 124, Asalanka 58 Hridoy 51, Emon 28
Bowling Highlight Chameera 3/51, Fernando 3/33 Mehidy 2/48, Taskin 2/51
Runs scored 285/7 in 50 overs (5.7 rpo) 186 all out in 39.4 overs
Wicket Share Across Four Bowler Bowled out in Chase
Series Score Sri Lanka won by 2-1
Conclusion:
Sri Lanka was clinical and that was represented by Kusal Mendis hundred and it was supported by a seamless bowling effort. They did not just steal the match but they had authorized the whole series in stamping. Bangladesh is not a very strong side, and although they defended well at times, they could not put up a serious fight.This game was a typical ODI match-timing, partnerships and intelligent coordination of bowlers.
Their future meetings at T20 will be thrilling- and to Bangladesh a badly needed ego booster. In case of Sri Lanka, this momentum can lead to a dream of a format clean sweep.Brief Scores :
Srilanka Innings: 285/7 (50 Overs) Kusal Mendis 124 off 114 Balls (18 Fours), Charith Aslanka 58 off 68 Balls (9 Fours).
Bangladesh Bowling: Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2/48 (10 Overs), Taskin Ahmed 2/51 (10 Overs)
Bangladesh Innings: 186/10 (39.4 Overs) Towhid Hridoy 51 off 78 Balls (3 Fours & 1 Six), Mehidy Hasan Miraz 28 off 25 Balls (4 Fours & 1 Six)
Srilanka Bowling: Asitha Fernando 3/33 (7 Overs), Dushmantha Chameera 3/51 (8 Overs)
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis
Player of the Series: Kusal Mendis
Result: Srilanka Won by 99 Runs.
