Colombo, July 16 – Bangladesh etched a new chapter in their T20I history on Wednesday night as they sealed their first-ever T20I series win over Sri Lanka, beating the hosts by eight wickets in the third and final match at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
The victory, driven by a career-best 4 for 11 from Mahedi Hasan and a commanding 73 off 47 balls* from opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, gave Bangladesh a 2-1 series triumph—a significant milestone for the visitors.
Mahedi Rattles Sri Lanka’s Batting
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka were rocked early, losing both openers—Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera—within the first two overs. Mahedi Hasan was the key destroyer, grabbing four crucial wickets, including a wicket-maiden and the dismissal of a well-set Pathum Nissanka (46).
From 34/3 to 66/5, Sri Lanka kept crumbling as Mahedi ran riot through the middle order. Though Dasun Shanaka provided a late flourish—smashing 35* off 21 balls with two sixes and two fours in the penultimate over—Sri Lanka could only muster 132 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Tanzid Takes Charge in the Chase
Bangladesh’s run chase began with a scare as Parvez Hossain Emon fell for a golden duck off the first ball. But that early blow was quickly forgotten, thanks to a match-winning partnership between Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das.
Litton survived an lbw call via DRS and contributed a fluent 32 before falling to Kamindu Mendis. But it was Tanzid who lit up the night with six sixes and a four, registering his highest-ever T20I score and bringing up his fifty in just 27 balls.
Supported by Towhid Hridoy, who played a composed hand at the other end, Tanzid guided Bangladesh past the finish line with 21 balls to spare. Fittingly, it was Towhid who hit the winning run to cap off a dominant performance.
Score Summary:
Sri Lanka: 132/7 in 20 overs
(Pathum Nissanka 46, Dasun Shanaka 35*; Mahedi Hasan 4-11)
Bangladesh: 133/2 in 16.3 overs
(Tanzid Hasan Tamim 73*, Litton Das 32; Kamindu Mendis 1-21)
Result: Bangladesh won by 8 wickets
Series: Bangladesh won the 3-match series 2-1
This victory marks a landmark moment for Bangladesh in T20 cricket—a statement win on foreign soil against a formidable opponent. For Mahedi and Tanzid, the performance was career-defining. For Bangladesh, the belief just got stronger.
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