Kusal Mendis century bursts Bangladesh as Sri Lanka clinches series by 99 runs

@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

It was a rocky beginning to the innings with Sri Lanka at 100/3 after 21 overs losing two early wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Nishan Madushka. Malaysia was brought down by this early jolt and Mendis and Asalanka stabilized the innings with an important 124-run fourth wicket partnership which gave it back momentum. The outstanding architect was Mendis, who was well-rounded in shots, especially punishing on the leg side with the jab-pull to which he added crisp sweeps through the spin Although he lost 4 wickets in the 35-45th overs of the innings (in effect, a mini-collapse), he managed to see Sri Lanka through the 280-mark. Useful lower-order contributions came in the form of Asitha Fernando (16) and Dunith Wellalage (2) taking the total to 285/7

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 Bangladesh innings:186 All out (39.4 Overs) 

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

Their pursuit went down on its knees in the powerplay, and they staggered to 20/2 after early losses of Tanzid Hasan (17) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) Mid-innings resistance by Hridoy momentarily gave a hope, but once he went, with the total around 156, the tail caved and rest of the batting burden assaulted as it fell in front of 40th over .

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

At the 33rd over, the Bangladesh batting had already lost six wickets and the bowling unit did their regular duties to ensure that the innings ended by 39.4 overs . Hero of the Match & Series

• 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

Mendis, when queried after the game, said:    I had made up my mind to see it out in the innings… very pleased.” Background & Relevance:

• 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 .

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• 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.

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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.

Bangladesh however:

• 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.

Looking Ahead:

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.