Bangladesh creates history with T20 series win on Sri Lankan Soil

Bangladesh has achieved a historic milestone by securing their first-ever T20 series victory against Sri Lanka, ending a long-standing drought both at home and abroad. Led by Liton Das, the Tigers triumphed on Sri Lankan soil, marking their first series win in the country.

The third and final T20 match in Colombo served as the series decider. Bangladesh dominated, defeating Sri Lanka by 8 wickets with 21 balls to spare, clinching the series 2-1. This victory marked the first time Bangladesh won a T20 series against Sri Lanka in three attempts.

Chasing a modest target of 133, Bangladesh faced an early setback when Parvez Hossain Emon was dismissed lbw for a golden duck by Nuwan Thushara on the first ball. However, Liton Das and Tanjid Hasan Tamim steadied the innings with a crucial 74-run partnership off 50 balls. Liton scored 32 off 26 balls, including 2 fours and 1 six, before being dismissed. 

Tanjid Hasan Tamim and Towhid Hridoy then guided Bangladesh to victory with an unbroken 59-run partnership off 48 balls. Tanjid led the charge, scoring an explosive 73 off 47 balls with 1 four and 6 sixes, while Hridoy remained unbeaten on 27 off 25 balls.

Earlier, Sri Lanka struggled to 105 for 7 in 19 overs, but a costly final over by Shariful Islam, conceding 22 runs, allowed them to finish at 132 for 7. Shariful ended with figures of 1 for 50 in 4 overs.

Sri Lanka, batting first after winning the toss at Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday (July 16), started confidently with Pathum Nissanka. However, Shariful Islam’s wayward first over leaked 14 runs, though he redeemed himself by dismissing Kusal Mendis (6 off 4) via a catch by Towhid Hridoy at deep square leg.

Sheikh Mehedi struck in the next over, removing Kusal Perera for a golden duck, caught by Tanjid Hasan Tamim at slip. Sri Lanka were 19 for 2. Mehedi continued his dominance, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal (4 off 5) in the fifth over, caught by Zakir Ali, and Charith Asalanka (3 off 8) in the seventh over with a brilliant delivery. By the 11th over, Mehedi claimed his fourth wicket, catching Nissanka (46 off 39) himself, leaving Sri Lanka at 66 for 5.

Kamindu Mendis (21 off 15) fell to Shamim Patwary, caught by Tanjim Shakib at backward point, as Sri Lanka slumped to 88 for 6. Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 35 off 25 balls, with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes, provided some resistance.

Sheikh Mehedi was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 11 runs, while Shariful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shamim Patwary took one wicket each.

Liton Das and Tanjid Hasan Tamim’s scintillating batting, combined with Mehedi’s bowling heroics, sealed Bangladesh’s historic series win, etching their names in cricketing history.