Kusal's Ton Guides SL to Eighth Successive ODI Series Win

Kusal Mendis's sixth ODI hundred and a collective bowling effort helped Sri Lanka register their eighth successive series win at home, downing Bangladesh by a comfortable margin of 99 runs in the third and final ODI in Pallekele.

First Innings

Sri Lanka opted to bat and had an early setback as Nishan Madushka fell to Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the fourth over. A steady partnership between Kusal and Pathum Nissanka ensued, taking Sri Lanka to 51 for 1 after 10 overs. However, Bangladesh kept it tight, and Nissanka's attempted slog-sweep off Tanvir Islam resulted in a catch. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal then struck a few boundaries, but their stand was ended by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who trapped the former in front after Sri Lanka reached 100 in the 21st over.

Kusal found good support from skipper Charith Asalanka, and the pair raised a brisk century partnership, with Asalanka getting past 50 and Kusal bringing up a hundred in 95 balls. The fourth wicket stand yielded 124 runs and came to an end in the 41st over when Asalanka fell to Taskin.

Second Innings

The chase did not start well for Bangladesh, who lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto inside the first four overs to slip to 20 for 2. Towhid Hridoy's 51 was the lone resistance as Dushmantha Chameera (3-51), Asitha Fernando (3-33), Dunith Wellalage (2-33), and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-35) shared the spoils to help Sri Lanka to a 2-1 finish in the ODI series.

Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 285/7 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 124, Charith Asalanka 58; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-48, Taskin Ahmed 2-51) beat Bangladesh 186 in 39.4 overs (Towhid Hridoy 51; Asitha Fernando 3-33, Dushmantha Chameera 3-51) by 99 runs.