A 2-1 series win in the end. Not a surprising result, given Sri Lanka's experience and dominance at home but Bangladesh will be happy with the fight they showed in the first 2 games. We now move to the T20 format, the first of which kicks off on Thursday, 10th July, 2025. It is a 3-match series and the visitors will back themselves in the shortest format of the game. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 1.30 pm GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of Sri Lanka, CHARITH ASALANKA, is very pleased with the series win. Calls this as an interesting and important game for the squad and says that all players delivered at the right time. On his own innings, Asalanka informs that at first when he went in, he thought that the pitch was on the slower side. Details that he couldn't get even singles easily. So, he adds that then he thought of taking some calculated risks and got some boundaries. On Sri Lanka's final score, Charith says that it was quite disappointing in the last 10 overs. Explains that once they get that kind of a start, meaning 220-odd after 40 overs, they should have been looking at somewhere around 300. Feels that they fell short by 20 runs. On giving Dushmantha Chameera the second over in this game, as opposed to Maheesh Theekshana in the other two games, CA says that he wanted to finish Powerplay 1 with three bowlers, hence he went with Chameera.

The captain of Bangladesh, MEHIDY HASAN MIRAZ, on being asked about Bangladesh's comeback with the ball in the last 10 overs, agrees and says that definitely, his side pulled things back. Adds that the wicket was not easy to bowl, and is especially proud of Taskin Ahmed and the spinners. On not being able to do well with the bat, Mehidy feels that the wicket was excellent. Details that in his partnership with Tawhid Hridoy, himself and Hridoy decided to play positive cricket and bat for as long as possible. Adds that the discussion was on the lines of batting deep, but if there came an opportunity, go for the big hit and capitalize in the last 10 overs. However, he rues that Bangladesh couldn't get partnerships in the middle overs and the openers were also dismissed cheaply. Summarizes that those were the issues but quickly says that mistakes do happen. On the positives for Bangladesh from this series, Miraz says that his team is young and some of the players are new. Stresses that the team thinks positively all the time and those players need some time. Believes that if you give them opportunities, then one day, they might play well.

Sri Lanka's KUSAL MENDIS HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his fantastic 124 (114). He is also the PLAYER OF THE SERIES, for scoring 225 runs at an average of 75. On being asked whether he knew that 4 out of his 5 ODI hundreds at home have come in a winning cause, Mendis denies it. Says that he is very happy. On his innings, Kusal says that his batting coach told him on Monday that if he scores runs, the team will win. So he played that way. On the massive difference in the way he played in the last match where he looked to be in a hurry and this one, where he looked composed, KM admits that he played a different game in the last match and the batters struggled against spinners, so the team struggled in the middle overs. Adds that so he learnt a little bit, had a chat with his coach, took a bit of singles in the middle overs and played normal cricket. On the pitch, Kusal Mendis informs that the deck slowed down after 10 overs and Pathum Nissanka supported him really well. Adds that in the second innings, the pitch became slower.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Tough pill for Bangladesh to swallow. They could not quite break the resistance of the Lankan batters in the first innings and though the visitors were fairly disciplined till the 25th over, they ran out of patience in the second half. With the bat, struggles in their batting techniques left them exposed first against the moving balls and then, against the inconsistent bounce and turning balls. Only Tawhid Hridoy played any innings of substance, making 51, the only batter to cross 30. They have been comprehensively defeated in the series decider. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

285 was already a big score on the board to defend and the Lankans came out in full gusto with the ball. Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera were terrific with the new balls, even though those swung only for 5 overs and nipped out 2 wickets early. After that, the spinners came on in the middle overs and literally choked the opposition. There was hardly any moment where there was a feeling that Bangladesh could trouble the Lankans. Asitha and Chameera finished with 3 wickets apiece while Hasaranga took 2 wickets on an injured leg, while Wellalage chipped in with 2 scalps of his own.

Kusal Mendis was the glue around whom, the entire batting unit stuck around. Mendis batted as deep as the 46th over, scoring a magnificent 124, his 5th ODI century at home, with his side having never lost on the previous four occasions. And in this game as well, the streak was maintained. He found good partners in Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka, with the skipper bonding with him nicely and adding 124 runs for the 4th wicket. That partnership shut the door on the tourists and even though there was a bit of a mini collapse towards the end, the water had already gone above the roof.

The seeds of victory in this game were sown in the first innings itself. History beckoned the side chasing to win, as 8 out of the previous 10 ODIs at this venue had been won by the side batting second. But Charith Asalanka backed his gut instincts and chose to bat first and literally, batted Bangladesh out of the match. Inside the 10th over itself, the balls had started to stay low and the Lankans showed some great perseverance and patience to grind the visitors.

8th consecutive bilateral ODI series win for Sri Lanka at home. In fact, you go even further, this is the 12th straight bilateral ODI series at home where they have been unbeaten. They last lost a bilateral ODI series at home way back in 2021, to India. That's how good they have been.

Mustafizur Rahman is the last man in, replacing Jaker Ali.