|| CF DESK ||

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hit a match-winning ton as Bangladesh clinched the first ODI against visitor Sri Lanka by six wickets at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Wednesday.

Shanto showcased his mastery with 13 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 122 off 129 balls, marking a career-best performance.

Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim remained steadfast, crafting an elegant 73 from 84 deliveries, punctuated by eight exquisite boundaries.

Their partnership of 165 runs for the fifth wicket was the cornerstone of the Tigers' victory, rescuing them from a perilous position after losing three wickets for just 27 runs in the first six overs of their chase.

With 32 balls to spare, they successfully chased down Sri Lanka's target of 256, securing a memorable win.

Earlier, Tanzim Hasan Sakib emerged as the game-changer, dismantling the formidable opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando. With precision and determination, he struck in consecutive overs, disrupting the rhythm of the Sri Lankan batters.

Sakib first sent Fernando (33) back to the pavilion in the 10th over, inducing a catch behind the stumps with a delivery that tantalizingly moved away from the right-hander.

The momentum swung further in Bangladesh's favor as Nissanka (36), fresh from stellar performances against Afghanistan, succumbed to Sakib's relentless pressure.

The young fast bowler removed Sadeera Samarawickrama in his next over, reducing the Lankans to 84 for three in the 14th over. Sakib finished with 3 for 44.

Charith Asalanka, who was trying to rebuild the innings with captain Kusal Mendis, was completely bamboozled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz as he failed for just 18 off 37 deliveries.

Mendis and Asalanka hit 44 runs for the fourth wicket to prevent the collapse. Janith Liyanage joined Mendis after Asalanka’s departure to keep the wheel rolling.

Taskin Ahmed ended the promising innings of Mendis, forcing the Sri Lankan captain to give a catch to his Bangladesh counterpart Najmul Hossain Shanto at mid-off.

Taskin, who finished with 3-60, dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, but Liyanage ensured Sri Lanka still got a decent score.

Shoriful Islam (3-51) removed Liyanage, before wrapping up Sri Lanka's innings in 48.5 overs.

The tourists won the preceding T20 series 2-1.