Bangladesh celebrated a landmark achievement as they clinched their first-ever T20I series win against Sri Lanka, powered by an outstanding bowling performance from Mahedi Hasan and a career-best innings by Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The hosts were held to 132 for 7 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16, before Bangladesh chased down the target comfortably with eight wickets to spare.
Mahedi Hasan’s Dominant Bowling Display
Mahedi Hasan was the star with the ball, Jeetbuzz producing a career-best 4 for 11 that kept the Sri Lankan batting lineup under control. Pathum Nissanka was the only top-order batter to make a notable contribution, scoring 46 runs. Mahedi’s consistent pressure and timely wickets played a crucial role in restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s Explosive Knock Guides the Chase
Tanzid Hasan Tamim starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 73 off 47 balls, his highest T20I score to date. His innings was marked by six towering sixes and a boundary, demonstrating his aggressive approach. He formed key partnerships with Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy, helping Bangladesh cruise to victory in just 16.3 overs.
Challenging Start but Steady Progress
Bangladesh’s innings began on a shaky note as Parvez Hossain Emon was dismissed for a first-ball duck, trapped lbw by Nuwan Thushara. Litton Das was initially given out lbw but successfully overturned the decision using DRS. Litton and Tanzid then stabilized the innings, combining for a 74-run partnership that put Bangladesh in control.
Key Partnerships Propel Bangladesh Forward
Litton’s dismissal in the ninth over did not Jeetwin deter Bangladesh’s momentum, as Tanzid continued to dominate the bowling attack. His quick fifty off 27 balls included aggressive shots and smart running between the wickets. Towhid Hridoy played a supportive role, rotating the strike efficiently and finishing the match with a boundary and a six.
Sri Lanka’s Top-Order Collapse
Sri Lanka’s innings started poorly, losing Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera within the first two overs. Mendis was caught in the deep while Perera was dismissed for a golden duck. Despite Pathum Nissanka’s efforts, Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships as wickets fell regularly, with Mahedi Hasan claiming multiple key scalps.
Late Resistance from Dasun Shanaka
In the final overs, Dasun Shanaka provided some resistance with an aggressive 22-run over off Shoriful Islam, hitting two sixes and two fours. However, it was not enough to lift Sri Lanka to a challenging total, as they finished with 132 for 7.
Bangladesh’s First-Ever Series Triumph Over Sri Lanka
Bangladesh’s comprehensive performance with both bat and ball secured a historic 2-1 series victory, marking a significant milestone for the team in their T20I encounters with Sri Lanka. The victory highlighted the rise of young talents like Tanzid Hasan Tamim and the continued impact of Mahedi Hasan on the international stage.
