Mahedi Hasan turned match-winner in Colombo, producing a spellbinding 4 for 11 that led Bangladesh to their first-ever T20I series win over Sri Lanka, 2-1. But this performance wasn’t accidental—it was part of a strategy that captain Litton Das had envisioned weeks earlier.
Pre-planned Strategy Pays Off
Litton Das had already decided that Mahedi Hasan would be a key pick for the third T20I at the R Premadasa Stadium. The plan proved successful. Mahedi struck early, removing Kusal Perera in his first over and later dismissing Dinesh Chandimal. The Colombo surface favored spin, and Mahedi thrived on it.
He now holds the most powerplay wickets by a spinner in T20Is since January 2021, with 30 scalps.
A Redemption Arc for Mahedi
Mahedi’s match-winning spell came after missing five straight T20Is. His exclusion was due to expensive spells in previous games against UAE and Pakistan. He also didn’t feature in the first two matches of this series. But the team management kept faith in him based on conditions and his past performances. 🔗 Full scorecard and match summary Mahedi was named Player of the Series during Bangladesh’s 3-0 sweep in the West Indies last December.
Litton’s Leadership Sparks Series Turnaround
This marks just the second time Bangladesh has come from behind to win a T20I series. Under Litton’s leadership, the team showed resilience. Bangladesh had low points during the tour, including a 94 all-out in the second T20I and inconsistent ODI batting. Still, their overall competitiveness stood out.
Signs of a Comeback for Litton
Litton Das also showed signs of emerging from his white-ball slump. His 76 off 50 balls in the second T20I set the stage for an 83-run win. He followed that up with a steady 32 in the final match, helping Bangladesh chase a modest target after early wickets fell.🔗 Watch Litton’s 76-run knock Litton credited his improved form to consistent training and focus. His return to scoring runs comes at a critical time for Bangladesh’s T20 plans.
Looking Ahead
With this series win, Bangladesh will now look to address their batting collapses and build on this momentum across formats. The potential within the squad remains strong, and performances like Mahedi’s will likely shape the team’s strategy going forward.
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