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Published : 16 Jul 2025, 11:21 PM
Career-best performances by offspinner Mahedi Hasan and batter Tanzid Hasan have powered Bangladesh to a crushing 8-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the third T20 in Colombo, sealing the Tigers’ first series win over their south Asian rivals.
Chasing a subpar 133 to win, Tanzid smashed six sixes in a belligerent 47-ball 73, which sent the tourists past the finishing line with 3.3 overs to spare at the Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
This is only the second time Bangladesh have come back from 1-0 down to win a T20I series, the previous instance being against the West Indies in 2018.
After a bruising loss in the opener in Pallekele, the visitors levelled the series in Dambulla before sealing the decider in Colombo with a commanding all-round display.
Earlier, Mahedi put the Sri Lankan top-order to the sword after the hosts chose to bat first. He bagged 4 for 11 in his quota of 4 overs for his career-best haul.
Opting to bat first in conditions that traditionally favour chasing sides, Sri Lanka stumbled early and never truly recovered. Offspinner Mahedi, recalled for this match, made an immediate impact by dismantling Sri Lanka’s top order with a spell of 4 for 11 and throttling their scoring.
Mahedi removed Kusal Perera for a duck in his first over, before dismissing Dinesh Chandimal (4) and Charith Asalanka (3) in quick succession.
He completed his haul via a caught-and-bowled to dismiss Pathum Nissanka for 46, leaving the hosts tottering at 66 for 5 in the 11th over.
Dasun Shanaka (35*) put up some late resistance, launching Shoriful Islam (1-50) for 22 runs in the final over by clubbing two fours and two sixes, one of which cleared the stadium, yet Sri Lanka could only manage 132 for 7.
In reply, Bangladesh were briefly rattled when Nuwan Thushara (1-25) removed Parvez Hossain Emon with the first ball of the chase. But Tanzid Hasan counterattacked with authority, leading a blistering recovery.
Tanzid struck his highest score in T20Is, combining power and poise to take the Sri Lankan bowling apart.
He was well supported by Litton Das, who made 32 off 26 balls in a second-wicket stand of 74. Their partnership set the tone for the chase, with both batters regularly clearing the infield and capitalising on Sri Lanka’s misfields.
Tanzid reached his half-century with a deft tickle to fine leg and survived a simple dropped catch on 60 by Theekshana. He then smashed Kamindu Mendis (1-21) for his sixth six in the same over to put Bangladesh on the brink.
Towhid Hridoy (27) chipped in with a late six before sealing the win with a single in the 17th over. Tanzid celebrated with a triumphant roar -- the only sound audible in an otherwise silenced Khettarama crowd.
