Career best contributions from Mahedi and Tanzid script history for Bangladesh

Sports News: Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the T20I series decider at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday. Career-best contributions from Mahedi Hasan and Tanzid Hassan powered Bangladesh to an eight-wicket win. This is also Bangladesh's first-ever series win in Sri Lanka. After losing the first game at Palekelle, the visitors made a roaring comeback in the second game, beating the hosts by a mammoth 83-run margin. The decider was highly anticipated, with the home crowd showcasing unwavering support. Sri Lanka batted first on a tricky surface and scored 132.

Mahedi's magic

Mahedi Hassan Miraj, who was not included in the team for the previous four T20Is, stamped his authority in the much-won game for Bangladesh. Picking up 4/11 in the full quota of four overs, the all-rounder rattled the Sri Lankan batting line-up. The hosts never looked to settle after Mahedi's magic had begun. He dismissed Kusal Perera for a golden duck, followed by the wickets of Dinesh Chandimal and skipper Charith Asalanka for 4 and 3, respectively.

Pathum Nissanka, who was Sri Lanka's best batter yesterday (46), was dismissed by Mahedi, reducing the Lankans to 66-5, who could not really come back in the game thereafter. The off-spinner was adjudged the player of the match.

Shanaka's fightback

Sri Lanka's former captain and all-rounder, Dasun Shanaka, batted at no. 7 and played an important knock of 35(25)*. His presence till the end meant that Sri Lanka put up a decent total on the board on a tough surface. Shanaka smashed 22 runs in the last over of the innings off Shoriful Islam, the left-arm pacer, giving a little hope to Sri Lanka to fight on a wicket that was slow and turning.

Tanzid Hassan's sublime 73* off 47

Chasing a target of 132 on a slow wicket at the Premadasa could have been a bit tricky. Well, as a matter of fact, Nuwan Thushara picked up the wicket of Parvez Hossain Emon on the first ball of the innings, cementing a bit of tension in the Bangladeshi camp. Their happiness was short-lived, as Tanzid Hassan, alongside skipper Litton Das, played a beautiful but cautious brand of cricket. The opening batter, Tanzid, scored an unbeaten 73 off 47, powering the Tigers to victory even after losing the skipper for 32 (26).

Tanzid smashed six sixes and one 4 in his knock of 73*. The southpaw demolished all the hopes of the hosts, if there were any.