Bangladesh Levels T20I Series with Decisive Victory Over Sri Lanka

DAMBULLA: Bangladesh brought an end to their six-game losing streak with a commanding 83-run victory against Sri Lanka at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, much to the delight of the assembled crowd.

This triumph equalizes the three-match T20I series at 1-1.

Litton Das spearheaded the charge, rediscovering his form with a crucial 76 runs from 50 balls, ending a sequence of 13 matches without achieving a half-century.

Shamim Hossain further bolstered Bangladesh’s position with an explosive 48 runs off 27 deliveries.

Chasing a formidable 178-run target, Sri Lanka’s top order faltered, a stark contrast to their powerful display in the first T20I held in Kandy.

Bangladesh complemented their batting performance with disciplined fielding and bowling, leaving the home side struggling.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 12th over of Sri Lanka’s innings when Dasun Shanaka, the last recognized batter, was dismissed when the score was just 73. The innings concluded at 94 in 15.2 overs.

Shamim entered the fray in the 12th over of Bangladesh’s innings after a minor collapse. Although Litton and Towhid Hridoy attempted to rebuild after the openers were dismissed due to poor shot selection, two quick wickets caused further problems.

However, Shamim’s aggressive approach revitalized the innings. He powerfully cut his second ball for four and continued his aggressive play, striking three boundaries off Nuwan Thushara and one each off Maheesh Theekshana and Binura Fernando.

He only faced five dot balls during his innings and also contributed in the field by running out Kusal Mendis and taking a running catch to dismiss Avishka Fernando.

Despite his eagerness resulting in a run-out with Jaker Ali in the final over, Bangladesh had already secured a firm grip on the game.

Litton, who was under pressure with no T20I fifty since June 2024, was given a lifeline at 30 when Kusal Mendis missed a stumping opportunity. A more costly error occurred when Theekshana dropped him at 56.

Litton went on to score an additional 20 runs before being dismissed in the 19th over, by which time Bangladesh had gained the advantage.

Unlike the series opener, where Sri Lanka’s top order successfully chased down the target within the powerplay, they were exposed in Dambulla. Kusal Mendis was dismissed early via a run out, and Pathum Nissanka struggled against a composed and accurate bowling attack.

Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam bowled with accuracy, restricting the flow of runs.