Sri Lanka make clean sweep against Bangladesh

DHAKA: Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by six wickets with fifteen balls remaining to complete a white wash in the three-match One-day International series here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Saturday.

There was disbelief at Kusal Perera's strike-rate when he reached his third ODI fifty at the end of the 25th over. Sri Lanka still needed 137 runs at the halfway mark and the Kusal was hitting at 62.50, when his career strike-rate is 86.15. But it didn't take long for him to pick up the pace. He found two bowlers to attack, Sohag Gazi and Shafiul Islam, whenever the required run-rate needed a lift and eventually made it to his maiden century.

His strike-rate was at a healthy 84.74, having blasted his last 56 runs off 44 balls. His increased scoring rate coincided with Sri Lanka turning the corner in their 241-run chase, ultimately completing the win in 47.3 overs with six wickets in hand. The 3-0 win was just reward for their ability to turn corners, even in the direst situations as they showed in the first two ODIs.

Dhammika Prasad’s three wickets enabled Sri Lanka to limit Bangladesh to 240 in the final ODI in Mirpur.

Angelo Mathews also deserves credit for rotating his bowlers cleverly and keeping up the pressure.

Mominul Haque top scored for Bangladesh with a run-a-ball 60. Later, Sohag Gazi slammed three sixes during a 13-ball 23 as he tried to give Bangladesh momentum in the latter overs.