Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I Match Summary

Litton Das gets across to hold the trophy aloft and along come his mates to join him! A rare joyful piece of moment for Bangladesh away from home and they will cherish this thoroughly. They have had a long tour, setting the right tone in the first Test, taking it to a draw. After that though, things didn't quite go to plan for them, as they won just 1 match, in the next 5 matches, which included a Test, 3 ODIs and 1 T20I. But they did not stop believing in themselves and that's exactly why they are the series winners, turning the series around after a breathtaking performance in the second T20I. They head back home now, to host Pakistan for a 3-match T20I series starting in quick time, from Sunday, 20th July, 2025. As far as Sri Lanka are concerned, they take a break to reflect on lost opportunities, before contributing to Zimbabwe's massive home season, for a 5 match white-ball series consisting of 2 ODIs and 3 T20Is, from 29th August, 2025. That's all we have from this series. Thanks for tuning in and hope you enjoyed our coverage. Before we sign off, just a reminder, that there's plenty of international cricket going around, like WI-Aus, Eng-Ind (Men and Women) and also the triseries in Zimbabwe, involving New Zealand and South Africa. Chew how much ever you can, by just surfing through our tabs. Until next time, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of Bangladesh, LITTON DAS, is also ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES, for scoring 114 runs at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 131.03. Says that he just has no words to express at the moment, given the way his team played. Adds that he is very proud to be the captain of this team. Explains that though they didn't play well in the first T20I, they played really well in the next 2 games. On being asked what would he have done had he won the toss, Litton unhesitatingly says that he too, would have batted first, because in Colombo, he feels that batting second is difficult. However, he adds that his side played good cricket. On the emotions on winning this series, Das calls it a big achievement for Bangladesh cricket, because in the past, they have not won many games over here. Details that their win in the last match boosted their hopes and spirits and that helped in this game. On dropping Mehidy Hasan Miraz being a tough call, LD cheekily says no! Explains that he felt that this surface suited Mahedi Hasan more. Is quick to add that it is not like Mehidy would not have done well, but had this been a better surface to bat, maybe Mehidy would have played.

The captain of Sri Lanka, CHARITH ASALANKA, is first asked about the toss. On being informed that in the previous 11 T20Is at this venue, the team chasing had won 9 times, Asalanka replies saying that his thinking was actually to bat first, get a good score and defend because his side likes to defend here. However, he also admits that he misread the pitch. On the Lankan batters probably playing a bit too many shots, Charith agrees to that, adding that they could have done better. Further says that the batters have to take more responsibility in their hands because it is the shortest format. On any possible afterthoughts on the team combination, looking at how the result shaped up, CA immediately shakes his head, stressing that this is the best combination the Lankans have at the moment. Adds that the management trusts the players and can get better results from them. Also says that the management knows what to expect from this side ahead of the World Cup (In 2026, India). On the sudden change of fortunes post the first ODI, Charith Asalanka admits that definitely everyone is disappointed in the setup. But is humble enough to accept that this is sport and such things can happen to every team. Ends by saying that it is all about making a comeback.

Bangladesh's MAHEDI HASAN HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his wonderful bowling figures of 4-1-11-4. On being asked whether he was under pressure after coming back into the side after a layoff, Mahedi denies any such thing. Adds that he knows how the wickets play in Sri Lanka and in the last 2 ODIs, the ball spun. So, he says that he just tried to hit the right lengths. On his thought process, Hasan says that the ball was spinning and was doing so even more, after getting older. So, before the match itself, he had planned some stuff against batters and just executed those plans.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

The match was in Colombo, but it just gave the feeling that it was being played in Dhaka. The pitch offered plenty of turn and almost played out into the hands of Bangladesh. Their spinners exploited all the turn and grip from the surface and restricted the home side to 132/7, that too, which could have been lesser, had it not been for the last-over burst by Shanaka. Mahedi Hasan was excellent, picking up 4/11 in 4 overs, including a maiden while the others were also decent, except for the death overs. In reply, Tanzid Hasan was superb, staying unbeaten on 73 till the end. He first raised a 74-run stand with skipper Litton Das which laid the platform for the win and then, another unbeaten 59-run stand with Tawhid Hridoy, ensuring that there was no collapse at any stage. It almost seemed as if they were playing at home, rather than away from home. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Whom did you feel were the favourites for this match, before it began? Not sure Sri Lanka themselves thought they were favourites. It was just an appalling day for the hosts, with nothing going right for them, except for the toss. Against all records, they preferred to defend, looking at the deck, which suggested that it might slow down as the game progresses. But they just put on a dismal batting show, with only Pathum Nissanka (46) and Dasun Shanaka (35 not out) playing any innings of substance, in a team innings which had 5 batters dismissed in single digits. And with the ball, despite getting a wicket on the very first ball, their bowling and fielding just became average once the early swing disappeared. A tough outing for skipper Charith Asalanka, wherein, after having had a wonderful ODI series and the first T20I, would have expected at least some sort of a fight from his players.

Congratulations, Bangladesh. And more specifically, congratulations Litton Das. Becomes the first skipper from Bangladesh to win multiple bilateral series in T20Is, away from home. 'Bangla'washed the West Indies 3-0 in December 2024 and here, in Sri Lanka, gets his second away series win.

THERE IT IS! A touch short, around middle and off, Hridoy punches it towards mid on and charges across for the single. Once that run is completed, he roars in delight and is joined by Tanzid for a warm hug! Delight in the Bangladesh dugout as BANGLADESH WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND REGISTER THEIR MAIDEN T20I SERIES WIN IN SRI LANKA!

Full, outside off, driven straight to mid off.

SIX! Maheesh Theekshana returns and is greeted in style. Full, around off, Tawhid Hridoy gets down on a knee and slog sweeps this massively over square leg! SCORES LEVEL NOW!

Around off, nudged to the leg side.

The googly, sharply coming in from outside off, Hridoy plays it from the crease and pushes it towards point. Calls for the quick single and completes it, despite the direct hit at the bowler's end.

Action replay of the previous ball.

Floated, around off, pushed back to the bowler.

50-RUN STAND UP IN 41 BALLS! Tossed up, around leg stump, Tawhid Hridoy looks to slog it out of the park but is beaten by the lack of pace. Miscues it off the inner half of the bat towards long on. Runs hard to come back for the second.

Landed outside off, cut straight to short third.

A few minutes back, the umpires were having a word with Charith Asalanka. It was on the borderline of the players taking too much time between overs and can be counted as an unofficial warning. Meanwhile, in Southampton, India Eves have got off to a good start in the first ODI, chasing 259. Smriti Mandhana has been dismissed for 28, but the impressive Pratika Rawal is going on strongly at the other end. They are 52/1 at the end of 10 overs.

On top of off, on a good length at 133 kph. Tanzid Hasan waits on the back foot and punches it to the cover fielder.

Touch full and on the stumps, clipped straight to mid-wicket.

Back of a length, outside off, pushes at it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball runs to deep third for a single.

ANOTHER MISFIELD, FOUR! Slower delivery, outside off, on a short length. Tawhid Hridoy spots the short delivery, waits for it and guides the ball to pierce the gap behind square. Binura Fernando at short third dives to his right to stop the ball but fumbles and it races behind to the fence.

At 134 kph, on a good length, around middle and leg. Tanzid Hasan steers it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, on off, punched by Hridoy to deep cover for a single.

Pace back on. Nuwan Thushara (2-0-18-1) returns into the attack with Bangladesh needing 17 runs off 36 balls. There's a bit of a discussion between the onfield umpire and Charith Asalanka, not exactly sure why.

Shorter one, on middle and leg. Hasan steers it off the back foot to deep square leg for another brace.

Landed short and on off, Hridoy slashes it through covers for a single.

A bit too short and outside off. A top spinner from Jeffrey, and Tawhid Hridoy rocks back quickly and cuts it to deep backward point for a couple of quick runs.

Thrusts it on a fuller length, and gets a good bite from the pitch, around off. Tawhid Hridoy presses forward initially but goes back to cut and is beaten on the outside edge as the ball spins away late.

BEATEN! Drifts into the batter, on a length. It lands and then spins just enough to beat the outside edge and catch Tawhid Hridoy off guard on the back foot.