Bangladesh chase 286 to win series after Kusal Mendis ton powers Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis has struck a commanding 124 off 114 balls and added 124 runs with Charith Asalanka (58) to power Sri Lanka to 285 for 7, throwing a steep challenge at Bangladesh with a tough chase in the ODI series decider.

Although Bangladesh did well to prevent Sri Lanka from reaching 300 and conceding 63 while picking up 4 wickets in the last 10 overs, the Islanders will be driven by the home crowd egging them on at the Pallekele Stadium on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka were well set at 222 for 3 after 40 overs, with both set batters at the crease, but Bangladesh’s bowlers kept things tight with a disciplined show.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-48), Taskin Ahmed (2-53), and Shamim Hossain (1-39) bowled with control and variation, allowing only five boundaries in the last 10 overs.

Miraz dismissed Kamindu Mendis (16) and Janith Liyanage (12), while Shamim removed the dangerous Kusal in the 46^th over, landing a vital blow that likely denied Sri Lanka 20 extra runs.

Taskin broke the fourth-wicket century stand with a low full toss that Asalanka miscued to Miraz at mid-on.

Kusal was dominant throughout, particularly on the leg side, where he scored 82 of his runs. He pounced on anything short and swept effectively, hitting 18 fours, seven of them behind square.

Asalanka, though scratchier, contributed steadily, with six of his nine boundaries also on the leg side.

Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat first as Taskin returned for Bangladesh, replacing Hasan Mahmud, while Sri Lanka remained unchanged.

Skipper Miraz is relishing the opportunity to win a first-ever series in Sri Lanka, while both sides look to capitalise on their set batters.

Parvez Hossain Emon struck 67 off 69 in the second ODI, while Kusal rollicked to 56 off 31, but when both batters fell, their batting orders fell apart.

A dramatic batting collapse, where Bangladesh lost seven wickets for only 5 runs, saw the visitors suffer a heavy defeat in the opener, before they turned around in the second game and secured a narrow 16-run win, leaving the series in the balance.

Bangladesh have won a three-match series only once after losing the first game, according to ESPNcricinfo.