Sports desk: Bangladesh's golden chance to script history in Lankan soil by sealing their first ever ODI series victory remained unfulfilled when they suffered a 70 – run defeat to host Sri Lanka in the series decider third and final ODI held on Saturday at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club.
Chasing a massive winning target of 281 runs set by Sri Lanka, Bangladesh found the chase stiff losing wickets in regular intervals and finally all out for 210 in 44.3 overs.
The hosts needed to win this match to save the series which led by Bangladesh 1-0. The Tigers just need a draw to win the series but poor batting display by Bangladesh batsmen allowed Sri Lanka to level the series 1-1 in their must win game.
Bangladesh were rocked early in their chase when opener Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for 4 in the sixth ball of the first over. Sabbir Rahman (0) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0) immediately followed the footprint of Tamim leaving Bangladesh tottering 3 for 11 inside three overs.
However, opener Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan stop the rot contributing 77 runs for the fourth wicket stand before Dilruwan Perera again struck on Bangladesh innings sending back to Soumya in a very crucial stage. The left handed batsman Soumya scored 38 runs off 44 balls laced with three boundaries and one over boundary.
The only highlight of Bangladesh's dilapidated innings are Shakib Al Hasan's and cameo Mehedi Hasan Miraz's half centuries. The allrounder played a responsible 54 runs off 62 balls laced with seven boundaries while Miraz scored a responsible 51 runs off 71 balls hitting six boundaries.
Nuwan Kulasekara was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka as he captured four Bangladesh's wickets conceding 37 runs.
Besides, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera and Seekkuge Prasanna shared two wickets each.
Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh was named the player of the series for his impressive performance in the tournament.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, rode on Kusal Mendis and Thisara Perera's brilliant half centuries, scored a competitive total 280 from 9 from their allotted 50 overs, after Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza put Sri Lanka to bat first.
Opener Upal Tharanga (35) and Danushka Gunathilaka (34) gave Sri Lanka a solid start contributing 76 runs for the opening stand. Kusal Mendis was the top scorer in Sri Lankan innings with 54 while Thisara contributed an useful 52 runs.
Asela Gunaratne (34) and Dinesh Chandimal (21) were the other notable scorers for the hosts.
Speedster Mashrafe Mortaza was the most successful bowler as he grabbed three wickets for 65 runs. He was well supported by Mustafizur Rahman who bagged two wickets for 49 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the first ODI in Dambulla by 90 runs before the second match at the same venue got washed out after Sri Lanka scored a commanding total of 311.BSS.
