Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by 77 runs in the first ODI on Wednesday, July 2, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after Bangladesh collapsed in dramatic fashion.
After electing to bat, Sri Lanka were reeling at 60 for 3, but Charith Asalanka’s fifth ODI century (106 off 123) anchored their innings. He built crucial partnerships with Kusal Mendis (45) and lower-order contributors like Janith Liyanage (29), Milan Rathnayake (22), and Wanindu Hasaranga (22), helping Sri Lanka post a fighting 244 in 49.2 overs.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed shone with 4 wickets for 47, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib chipped in with 3 wickets. Despite bowling Sri Lanka out with four balls remaining, what followed was a batting disaster.
Bangladesh, at one point cruising at 100 for 1, suffered a shocking collapse of 7 wickets for just 5 runs, falling to 105 for 8 in under five overs.
Key highlights of Bangladesh’s innings:
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Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored a promising 62 off 61.
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Najmul Hossain Shanto (23) was run out, triggering the collapse.
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Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the skipper, both fell for ducks.
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Towhid Hridoy made just 1.
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Jaker Ali Anik fought with a 50 off 58 balls, but Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 167 in 35.5 overs.
Spin was the game-changer:
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Wanindu Hasaranga returned with 4/10 in 7.5 overs, including the final wicket.
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Kamindu Mendis took 3/19 in 5 overs, dismantling the middle order.
The next ODI will be played on Saturday, July 5, where Bangladesh will aim to avoid a series defeat and fix their middle-order crisis.
