Sri Lanka was down 43-3, but Nissanka’s 114 and Charith Asalanka’s national record 185-run partnership for the fourth wicket prevented defeat. Their collaboration was essential to beating Bangladesh’s 287-run objective.
On Friday, Sri Lanka’s opening batter Pathum Nissanka scored a century to help the team beat Bangladesh by three wickets and even the one-day international series.Nissanka’s 114 in a national-record 185-run fourth-wicket stand with Charith Asalanka helped Sri Lanka recover from 43-3. Their combination was critical in beating Bangladesh’s 286-7 by 287-7 in 47.1 overs. Asalanka scored 91 from 93 balls, falling short of his fourth century. Bangladesh was topped by Towhid Hridoy, who finished 96 not out. Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam resumed his streak of striking with the new ball as opener Avishka Fernando edged the first ball he faced to first slip for a duck.
Taskin Ahmed dismissed captain Kusal Mendis for 16 runs, and Shoriful defeated Sadeera Samarawickrama to reduce Sri Lanka to 43-3 in the seventh over.
Nissanka and Asalanka skillfully rebuilt the score, much to the disappointment of Bangladesh bowlers.
Nissanka timed the innings impeccably after reaching fifty in 58 balls. He reached his sixth century in 100 balls by pulling a short delivery from bowler Tanzim Hasan to deep midwicket for a single. He scored 13 fours and three sixes.
Asalanka was in an aggressive attitude. He slog-swept left-arm spinner Taijul Isalm for a six over deep midwicket to reach fifty off 50 balls.
Bangladesh returned to the game by dismissing both set hitters in consecutive overs.
Nissanka was dismissed for 114 off 113 balls by off-spinner Mehidy Hasan, while Taskin successfully reviewed to dismiss Asalanka for 91 off 93 balls, with six fours and four sixes.
Sri Lanka was 52 runs away from victory, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s 25 off 16 dashed Bangladesh’s chances of winning the series with one game remaining.
Hasaranga also claimed 4-45 to keep Bangladesh from reaching 300, despite Hridoy’s brilliance.
