ICC Men’s ODI Super League 
Bangabandhu ODI Series. 
Third Match Played at SBNCS, Dhaka on 28 May 2021
Sri Lanka 286/6 (Kushal Perera 120, Dhananjaya de Silva 55*, Danushka Gunatilaka 39, Taskin Ahmed 4/ 46) 
Bangladesh 189 All Out in 42.3 Overs (Mahmudullah Raid 53, Mosaddeq Hossain 51, Mushfiqur Rahim 28, Dushmantha Chammera 5/16 )
Sri Lanka won by 97 runs
Bangladesh Won the Series 2-1 
Player of The Match: Dusmantha Chameera 
Player of The Series: Mushfiqur Rahim

Sri Lanka reversing the tide wining the 3rd ODI by 97 saved the looing series white wash against Bangladesh. In that process they also registered their first points in ICC Men’s ODI super league. Bangladesh winning the first two ODI comfortably was poised for yet another series white wash in ODI. 

But a rejuvenated Sri Lanka, playing true to their potential shocked Bangladesh. Bangladesh mission for earning 30 points from three ODIs against relatively weaker opposition and consolidate their position at the top of the table got a big blow. On the other hand, Sri Lankan mission of trying with young upcoming talents earned partial objectives. They can now plan better for their future engagements.  Few may think that after going through a very lean patch it is good that Bangladesh won a series. But others would conclude that Bangladesh lost a golden opportunity of earning a series white wash.
For the first time yesterday, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat. Sri Lanka appeared with four changes including three debutants. Bangladesh brought in Mohammad Naim in place of Liton K Das and rested injured Saifuddin. Sri Lanka made a great start riding on explosive Danushka Gunatilka (39 in 33) and Kushal  Perera (120  in Balls) shooting off to blistering 82 in 11.2 Overs. Tamim appeared a bit perplexed in marshaling his bowling resources and setting the field. There was no point letting Mosaddeq bowl leaving more experienced Shakib waiting in the wing.  Mosaddeq leaked 32 in 3 overs. Taskin, Mustafiz, Shakib, Mehedi all bowled well. But the momentum that the opening partnership created carried visitors posting impressive 286/6 in allotted overs.  Though Bangladesh bowlers bowled well after the fall of two wickets in quick succession in one over of Taskin yet the fielding looked ragged. As many as 3 catches were floored. Taskin the best bowler of Bangladesh did not finish his quota of 10 overs. Yet one must praise captain Kushal Perera for his glue-like innings of 120 in 122 deliveries. Dhanajaya di Silva played a patient innings of unbeaten 55. 

The fate of the match was written on the card. Though Bangladesh won the first two matches comfortably yet the batting apart from redoubtable Mushfiqur Rahim and energetic Mahmudullah was very poor. The top order got regularly blown away by Chammera. Yesterday was no different. One may argue why Soumya kept in the main squad as opener in the waiting was ignored and Naim was inserted from the reserve. He failed to negotiate with accurate pace of Chammera. So was Shakib. He looked rusty throughout the series. Despite of his rich return in 2019 ICC world cup Shakib is a not a regular success at number three in any format. He has flawed technique against new ball. It was proved in all 3 matches in this series. Losing Naim, Shakib and Tamim by the 10th over for 28 runs Bangladesh lost their way. Mushfique and Mosaddeq tried resurrecting adding 56 for the 4th wicket. But both failed to debutant Mendis leaving way too much on the plate of Mahmudullah. Wonder why the unsung hero even in such pitiable condition of Bangladesh batting has to bat way down at 6. He lost partners in quick succession. Chammera on his return blew away Bangladesh tail. His figure of 5/16 evidenced that Bangladesh batting remains very weak against quality first bowler. Apart from Mahmudullah (53) and Mosaddeq (51) Bangladesh could not resist the resurging Lankans. Bangladesh got bundled out for 189 losing by 97 runs. 

It is good that Bangladesh managed winning the series. But the team did not bat well. Top order failed every time. Mushfique and Mahmudullah contributed massively in the first two wins. Tamim and Mosaddeq played one good innings each. But apart from that rest did nothing. The most worrying part was Shakib’s form with the bat. He should have batted not above five. Bangladesh has to deal with top order batting very seriously. In all matches Mushfique or Mahmudullah would not rescue. Tamim should be pro active as a captain. Lucky that Bangladesh got two relatively weak teams for West Indies and Sri Lanka in ODI series at home. The weakness of his leadership was not exposed. 

Due credit must be given to new look Sri Lankans. They had several new comers. First two matches they bowled and fielded well against vastly superior team at least on paper. They had their moments in both matches. But they had to field in extreme heat and humidity. They batted poorly and lost.  The bowling unit did excellent job, ground fielding and catching were world class. Yesterday getting the first opportunity to bat they set up winning score and crashed Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will play many matches over the next few months at home and abroad.  They need addressing many loopholes The present series must have given them wake up call. 

BDST: 1235 HRS, MAY 29, 2021
SMS