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Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka led Sri Lanka to level the three-match ODI series 1-1 by defeating Bangladesh in the second game by three wickets.

An unbeaten 96 from Towhid Hridoy powered Bangladesh to 286-7 against Sri Lanka after four wickets from Wanindu Hasaranga rattled the hosts' middle order in Friday's second one-day international. 

Hridoy clawed the hosts back to a competitive score in Chittagong, narrowly missing a century but finishing on a flourish with successive sixes off the final two balls. 

Soumya Sarkar made 68 for Bangladesh and skipper Najmul Hossain added 40 before Hasaranga wreaked havoc in the middle overs. 

The hosts lost Litton Das for the opener's second straight duck of the series, but Sarkar and Najmul steadied the innings with their 75-run stand for the second wicket.

Shanto, who hit an unbeaten century in Bangladesh's opening match victory, survived despite nicking Pramod Madushan behind the stumps when Sri Lanka failed to appeal.

He was sent back by Dilshan Madushanka while Sarkar, who became the fastest Bangladeshi to reach 2000 ODI runs today, fell to Hasaranga after botching a reverse sweep.

Hasaranga was just warming up and bowled Mahmudullah Riyad for a duck two balls later, then trapping heavy-hitter Mushfiqur Rahim leg before for 25 and bowling Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 12. 

Hridoy, who was dropped on six by Kusal Mendis, made three fours and five sixes in his knock. 

During chase, Sri Lanka's Nissanka showcased his prowess once again, notching up his sixth ODI century, while Asalanka's knock fell just shy of a hundred but proved pivotal in steering their team towards victory.

Their partnership, a formidable 185-run alliance for the fourth wicket, resuscitated Sri Lanka's innings after an early collapse, with the scoreboard reading a precarious 49 for 3 in the initial seven overs.

Nissanka exhibited his power-hitting skills, dispatching the ball to the boundary ropes on 13 occasions and clearing it thrice, accumulating a resilient 114 runs off 113 deliveries.

Asalanka complemented him brilliantly, wielding his bat to craft a 91 off 93 balls, embellished with four towering sixes and six well-timed fours.

Despite their valiant efforts, the task remained unfinished, leaving the visitors on tenterhooks.

However, Sri Lanka found an unexpected hero in Wanindu Hasaranga, typically known for his prowess with the ball. Hasaranga adopted an aggressive approach, smashing two sixes and a boundary in a blistering 16-ball 25, alleviating the mounting pressure and edging his team closer to triumph.

In the dying moments, Dunith Wellalage displayed nerves of steel, contributing an unbeaten 15 off 26 deliveries to guide Sri Lanka over the finish line, ensuring a hard-earned victory.

The third and final ODI of the series will be played in Chittagong on Monday.