Bangladesh won the ODI series against Sri Lanka by 2-1. It was young Tanzid Tamim who replaced Soumya Sarkar as the concussion substitute and his knock of 84 which was most runs ever scored by concussion substitute since Australian Marnus Labuschange who scored 80 earlier. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto who won the Man of the Series award said the way young Tamim started his innings to chase the total gave big boost to the team but he should have batted till the end.
The way experienced Musfiqur Rahim batted helped Rishad’s innings who made 16 ball 48 to end the game in great style. The skipper further said I think on a wicket like this Chattogram Stadium the bowlers showed a lot of character while our three fast bowlers bowled really well with the new ball to put pressure. In the middle overs two spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain did their part well.
This series win was very important for us while now test championship is coming up and we have already won one match against New Zealand before the Sri Lanka series which is definitely important for us said Najmul Hossain Shanto who led the side confidently throughout the series.
Kamindu had to stay as bench player
Sri Lanka skipper won the toss three consecutive times and decided to bat in first and third ODIs but both occasions Sri Lanka lost the game while the second game Sri Lanka chased 287 to get three wicket win. Throughout the series opener Avishka Fernando was a failure while Sadeera Samarawickrama also not among the runs and this affected the team. The in-form batter Kamindu Mendis was on the bench throughout the three match series and it was very disappointing as Sri Lanka scored 255 in first game while last game Sri Lanka had to be satisfied with 235 which was not enough to make a pose a challenge for opponents.
Janith shows his potential
Janith Liyanage and Pathum Nissanka scored centuries while deputy skipper Charith Asalanka also in good form but skipper Kusal Mendis also couldn’t get quick runs as usual and top order had to face some pressure.
The left arm paceman Dilshan Madushanka who unfortunately suffered hamstring injury missed the third ODI which was a big blow for Sri Lanka as there is no Dushmantha Chameera who still in recovery period. Madushanka was able to make an early breakthrough at both matches but his absence of the third deciding game also badly affected Sri Lanka team. In fact Janith Liyanage had to play without any support.
Maheesh Theekshana the mystery spinner who was dropped from the second game was not up to expectations and Wanindu Hasaranga had to take responsibility and Sri Lanka have to rectify these mistakes before the T-20 World Cup.The main issue is to find an opening partner for Pathum Nissanka while fast bowlers like Madushanka and Chameera are on the injured list and Sri Lanka fast bowling new coach Aqib Javed has big responsibility before the T-20 World Cup.
Dhammika Ratnaweera