SL vs BAN 2025, 3rd ODI: Kusal Mendis ton secures Sri Lanka's 2-1 win

Sri Lanka won the third ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh by 99 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. With this, they sealed the series with a 2-1 margin after winning the first match by 77 runs.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib struck on the first ball of his second over to get rid of Nishan Madushka (one off six). Despite the early wicket, the hosts did well to end the powerplay on 51/1. By the time Drinks was called, the duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis had got to the 30-run mark. The extra bounce generated by left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam got the better of Nissanka (35 off 47) as the batter found the fielder at deep square leg.

Tanvir was replaced by Mehidy Hasan Miraz after a six-over burst. Mehidy struck on the final delivery of his second wicket to get rid of Kamindu Mendis (16 off 20). At the other end, Kusal brought up his fifty not long after. Sri Lanka got a move on between overs 24 to 34, scoring as many as 14 boundaries. Charith Asalanka and Kusal brought up their fifty and hundred, respectively, in the 38th over.

Asalanka was looking set to get his second hundred of the series, however, he perished for 58 off 68 in the 41st over. The Lankans did not register a single boundary in the four overs from the completion of the 40th. Mehidy wrapped up his 10th over with his second wicket of the day as Janith Liyanage accidently stepped onto his stumps while playing a shot.

Four deliveries later, Kusal departed too courtesy of a long hop from Shamim Hossain. Kusal walked back after registering 124 off 114. Wanindu Hasaranga (18* off 14) and Dushmantha Chameera (10* off eight) ended with valuable runs, however, the visitors had done well to keep the Lankans down to only 63 runs in the final 10 overs.

Out for the chase, Asitha Fernando was carved for three boundaries by Tanzid Hasan early on. However, the right-arm pacer had the last laugh as his excellent in-swinging yorker disturbed Tanzid Hasan's (17 off 13) stumps. Dushmantha Chameera then struck in the very next over to dismiss Najmul Hossain Shanto for a three-ball duck.

Three quiet overs after the end of the powerplay meant Parvez Hossain Emon (28 off 44) tried to go for the big shot. However, the top-order batter picked out the fielder at deep square leg who completed a fine running catch.

The first six of the Bangladesh innings came off Mehidy's bat on the second ball of the 20th over before Dunith Wellalage secured his second wicket as Mehidy (28 off 25) holed out to long-on. Wanindu Hasaranga snagged his first wicket in the form of Shamim (12 off 18).

From that point, everything rested on the pair of Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali. Hridoy brought up his second fifty of the series in the 32nd over. However, an absolute beauty from Chameera got Hridoy for 51.

Bangladesh completely lost track after Hridoy;s dismissal, as they lost a couple of more wickets in the 35th and 37th overs. It was just a matter of time after Asitha crashed the off stump of Jaker (27 off 35). Tanvir (eight off 10) was the last wicket to fall after he found the fielder at deep midwicket to provide Hasaranga his ninth wicket of the series and Sri Lanka a 2-1 win.