AI Simulation, SL vs BAN | Hasaranga's all-round heroics hands Lions comfortable win in series opener

Pitch and Weather

The pitch in Kandy was firm and dry much like the third ODI, providing ideal conditions for both bowlers and batters to thrive if they managed to execute their plans right. However, the prospect of dew late in the evening made chasing the clear favoured choice for the skipper winning the toss. The high humidity only further reinforced the decision as temperatures gradually dropped while the evening progressed, making it easier for batters later in the game.

Toss

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Lineups

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara 

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (c/ wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed 

Match Report

Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow when the returning Taskin Ahmed kept up his good form in domestic cricket by scalping the price wicket of Kusal Mendis in his second over. However, the Tigers failed to find any more success in the powerplay as Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera settled in and began dealing in boundaries, taking the score to 52/1 at the end of six overs. The partnership between the duo had stretched past 70 runs and threatened to propel the Lions to a mammoth total when Rishad Hossain spoiled the party by sending Perera packing for 33 in the 11th over. The leg-spinner then added to the hosts misery by adding Kamindu Mendis to his tally and with Nissanka also departing after bringing up a 33-ball half-century, the Lions went from looking at a 200-plus total to reeling at 120/5 with six overs to go. However, Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga once again changed the complexion of the game with blistering cameos, the former taking 17 deliveries to rack up 27 runs while the latter's three maximums saw his 29 runs come off just 12 balls. The score at the end of all the chaos read 181/7, leaving Bangladesh a steep hill to climb.

The Tigers began sedately with Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Emon both departing within the first five overs of the game after getting decent starts. The experienced pair of Towhid Hridoy and skipper Litton Das thereafter took over the reins with a searing counterattack, their 52-run third wicket stand taking just 28 deliveries. Under pressure, Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka brought on his trump card Wanindu Hasaranga to try and control proceedings, and the move practically won his team the game. A well-disguised googly first got rid of Litton for a 29-ball 37, before vicious top-spinners sounded Hridoy (41 off 26) and Shamim Hossain the death rattle. A collapse typical of the Tigers followed thereafter with little fight shown by anyone in the lower middle-order, as the wickets of Jaker Ali and Mehidy Hasan Miraz practically sealed victory well before the 20-over quota was completed.  

Player of the Match

Wanindu Hasaranga was never in doubt for claiming the man of the matcch honours, contributing with both bat (29 off 12 deliveries) and ball (3/23 from four overs) in a clinical all-round display.

Scorecard

AI Simulation, SL vs BAN | Wanindu Hasaranga's all-round heroics hands Lions comfortable win in series opener

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