Bangladesh need 286 runs to win series
Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowls beside Kusal Mendis, Cricfrenzy
Kusal Mendis struck a brilliant century to help Sri Lanka post a challenging 285-7 in the series-deciding third ODI against Bangladesh at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today.
After an early setback following the captain Charith Asalanka's decision to bat first, Kusal steadied the ship with an eye-catching 114 ball-124, an innings laced with 18 boundaries.
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He was ably supported by Asalanka who made 58 off 68, including nine four.
They set the platform of the challenging total with a 124-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
But the departure of the duo in quick succession denied Sri Lanka a total closer to 300 that looked highly possible.
Led by Taskin Ahmed who finished with 2-51, Bangladesh bounced back into the game in the death overs, denying Sri Lanka lower order batting in aggressive mode.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz also took two wickets for 48 runs and played an important part in tying down the batters in the middle overs.
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The breakthrough came from Tanzim Hasan Sakib who undid Nishan Madushka (1) in the fourth over before Kusal shared a 56-run run with Pathum Nissanka for the second wicket.
While Kusal found the gap with ease to rotate the scoreboard, Nissanka was struggling, particularly against spinners-Miraz and Tanvir Islam.
Tanvir eventually got him when he swept straight to deep square leg for 35. Miraz then trapped Kamindu Mendis leg-before for 16, leaving Sri Lanka 100-3 in 21st over.
With Asalanka looking in good touch, Kusal went after the bowlers in emphatic fashion and picked up his sixth century off 95 balls, driving Miraz to long-on for a single.
By the time, Asalanka who struck a century in the first match, reached his 16th fifty off 60 balls, also driving Miraz wide of cover for a single.
Taskin returned to his second spell to break the dangerous partnership as Asalanka holed out a low full toss to the long-on.
Shamim Patwari then got the key wicket of Kusal by removing him with a return catch as Sri Lanka's innings faced a hiccup.
Amid Bangladesh bowlers' good work in the death overs, Hasaranga played a cameo (18 not out) to take the side closer to 290.
