Thushara's devastating hattrick in decider foils Tigers' hopes of T20I series victory against Lanka

Sri Lanka secured a dramatic 28-run victory over Bangladesh in the final T20I, clinching the three-match series 2-1 in Sylhet on Saturday.

Nuwan Thushara's devastating hat-trick early in Bangladesh's chase effectively derailed their hopes. He dismissed three of Bangladesh's most reliable batters within the fourth over, damaging their chances.

Rishad Hossain fought back with a well-crafted fifty (53 off 30 balls with seven sixes), and Taskin Ahmed displayed his batting prowess with a quickfire 31 (21 balls, three fours, two sixes). However, these efforts weren't enough to overcome the early setback.

Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka amassed a competitive 174 for 7. Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with a blistering 86 off 55 balls, his powerful knock studded with six sixes.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Ahmed took two wickets each.

Bangladesh's chase began positively with Litton Das finding the boundary early, but he fell cheaply (7 off 11 balls).

A hattrick from Nuwan Thushara in the fourth over sent shockwaves through the lineup, dismissing Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and Mahmudullah Riyad in consecutive deliveries. Despite Mahedi Hasan's 19 and Rishad's valiant 53 off 30, Bangladesh couldn't recover.

Wanindu Hasaranga's miserly figures of 2 for 32 strangled the scoring, while Dasun Shanaka and Thushara chipped in with crucial wickets. Bangladesh's effort ultimately fell short in the final overs.

This win provides a much-needed confidence boost for Sri Lanka as they head into the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Chattogram.