 |
| @Mehdi Hasan celebrates after taking a wicket vs Srilanka at Colombo 2025 |
Context & Stake:
- It was a deciding match in a three-match T20I series held at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 16 July 2025, that saw Bangladesh win the second game comprehensively to take a 1 1 lead over Sri Lanka in the series.
- Sri Lanka had taken possession of the opener and Bangladesh had the upper hand of the second by 83 runs and this was a final match to watch under the lights.
- Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bat and after the match he also admitted that it could have been a bit too ambitious decision to make because of the pitch conditions where the spin was to be supported- especially by the Bangladesh attack.
- The Bangladesh side, they brought in Mahedi Hasan at the expense of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a radical decision calculated to take advantage of the turn
- With the bat Sri Lanka never got comfortable and finished at 132/7, largely thanks to the spin-friendly wicket and tight bowling by Bangladesh.
- Mahedi Hasan was the top bowler with a brilliant 4/11 in four overs, which included a maiden
- Some notable highlights were Shoriful Islam bowling out Kusal Mendis in the first over and Mahedi bowling out Kusal Perera and Dinesh Chandimal shortly after this.
- The only one who was able to resist was Pathum Nissanka, with 46 off 39, and Dasun Shanaka gave late push--35 off 25, and a final over being particularly fierce, 22 runs (including a 102-meter six)
The match-turning torque was bowled by the Mahedi Hasan. His four-wickets (4-0-11-4) tore through the middle order of Sri Lanka leaving them to a low score of 211
- He took key wickets: Nissanka, Perera, Chandimal, and Asalanka--crippling the batting structure of Sri Lanka.
- Receiving the award as Player of the Match, he focused on feeling at home with the pitch spin, as he maintained tight lines, which proved to be a winning strategy.
With 133 to get, Bangladesh were business-like: they achieved the target in only 16.3 overs winning by 8 wickets and 21 balls to spare.
- Parvez Hossain Emon was bowled on a duck by the first ball of Nuwan Thushara but this hardly shook the run chase
- Captain Litton Das (32 off 26) and Tanzid Hasan Tamim (73* off 47) made a stand of 74 runs in 50 balls, giving the foundation to the partnership
- Tanzid blazed a six-hit sixes and one four knock to end up with a fifty in only 27 balls to steady the run chase
- Towhid Hridoy added an unbeaten 27 off 22 and kept his head to score winning runs off Maheesh Theekshana
- Player of the match: Mahedi Hasan (4/11) whose bowling helped them win the match.
- Player of the Series: Litton Das - to play a crucial role in the series, with 76 in the second match and this 32, he scored 114 runs at a strike rate of 131.
Litton Das (Bangladesh Captain & POTSeries)
I can not describe... the boys demonstrated character. We did not play well in the first T20I but then consecutive matches... a big thing. I think that this is a surface that would suit Mahedi… had we won the toss we would have batted first”
Mahedi Hasan:
I have played the Sri lankan wickets before… the ball was turning… I kept my lines and lengths.”
Charith Asalanka Sri Lankacaptain:
I had failed to read the pitch… we could have played better… this is the best mix we have… we will do our best to be back before the World Cup.
Significance & Records:
- First T20I series victory in Sri Lanka: a landmark in the history of Bangladesh Cricket.
- Series comeback: Bangladesh had to come back after losing the first game 0-1 to win this series, as it did in 2018 against West Indies.
- Head-to-head legacy: Before this, Sri Lanka had controlled the bilateral T20I series, having won all the five series before it happened. This victory interrupts that run.
- Spin conditions: It was a pitch that offered a lot of turn-Bangladesh utilized it as Mahedi took 4 wickets and spinners choked Sri Lanka out.
Strategy Notes:
- Pitch reading: Bangladesh got the right pitch and its spin-friendly nature right and used this to their advantage- they have taken the extra spinner option and it was worth it.
- Control and tight lines: Control and tight lines gave consistent pressure, where Mahedi was instrumental.
- Batting style: A measured pursuit that not panicking after the early loss was kept and then the power-hitting orgy was achieved, a textbook chase.
- Captaincy: Litton Das was a good captain in that he had an aggressive but not too aggressive approach and steered the tactical changes (the inclusion of Mahedi, the chase mentality) well.
- Bangladesh's turnaround: Bangladesh started with lacklustre performance in the first game, but registered dominant performances in the next two; it was characterised by grit and tactical changes.
- Menace of Mahedi Hasan: His spell saw off the momentum of the match and ignited the collapse, which was prompted by the nature of the pitch.
- Tanzid Hasan's Inning : He added strike-power series to build a chase credibility of Bangladesh on top of Litton steady hands.
- Opportunity missed: Sri Lanka misinterpreted the situation and did not build any substantial partnerships; all they have are lessons before the World Cup in 2026.
- Bangladesh: This is a historical victory which inflates their confidence and reputation particularly in spin-friendly conditions.
- Sri Lanka: Wake-up call- has to overcome spin weakness and strive to achieve greater synergy prior to big events.
The use of force was necessary in order to attack the enemy.
Bangladesh recorded a historic triumph, a thumping 8-wicket win with 21 balls left to spare, to record their first T20I series win in Sri Lanka on 16 July 2025. With the spin magic of Mahedi Hasan and ruthless batting of Tanzid Hasan, the focused, determined team has demonstrated strategic prowess and mind strength. This is not merely a statistic, this is a testimony of development to the Bangladesh T20I cricket and a lesson to Sri Lanka that it is not yet the end of the road.
Snapshot of Key stats:
Category Highlight
Sri Lanka Total 132/7
Bangladesh Chase 133/2 (16.3)
Top bowler Mahedi Hasan (4/11)
Top Batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim (73*)
Player of Series Litton Das (114 runs)
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Innings: 132/7 (20 Overs) Pathum Nissanka 46 off 39 Balls (4 Fours) Dasun Shanaka 35*off 25 Balls (4 Fours & 2 Sixes)
Bangladesh Bowling: Mahedi Hasan 4/11 (4 Overs), Mustafizur Rahman 1/17 (4 Overs)
Bangladesh Innings: 133/2 (16.3 Overs) Tanzid Hasan 73* off 47 Balls (1 Fours & 6 Sixes), Liton Das 32 off 26 Balls (2 Fours & 1 Six)
Sri Lanka Bowling: Nuwan Thusara 1/25 (3 Overs), Kamindu Mendis 1/21 (3 Overs)
Player of the Match: Mahedi Hasan
Player of the Series: Liton Das
Result: Bangladesh Won by 8 Wickets