SL vs BAN 2025, 3rd T20I Review: Mahedi Hasan's heroics hand Bangladesh comfortable win in series decider

Published - 16 Jul 2025, 22:02 IST | Updated - 16 Jul 2025, 22:42 IST

After setbacks in the Test and ODI legs of their tour, Bangladesh will finally fly back home on a positive note after winning the T20I series, clinching a 1-2 victory over Sri Lanka with an eight-wicket win in the series decider at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on July 16.

Bangladesh entered the T20I series after having lost the two-match Test series and the ODI series 2-1. Notably, Bangladesh registered their maiden T20I series win in Sri Lanka. After suffering a heavy defeat in the first T20I, the visitors bounced back strongly in the second and carried that momentum into the decider.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka opted to bat first after winning the toss, but his team suffered a collapse. Apart from a 46-run knock by opener Pathum Nissanka and a 35 from Dasun Shanaka, the home team struggled to build partnerships. Five of the Sri Lankan batters were dismissed on single-digit scores.

Mahedi Hasan, who was introduced into the XI for this game, was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball as he registered his career-best T20I figures of 4/11 in his four overs. He ran through the Sri Lankan middle order, including dismissing Kusal Perera, Chandimal, and Asalanka in quick succession.

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Mustafizur Rahman and Shamim Hossain also chipped in with a wicket each, while Shoriful Islam, despite being expensive, got the breakthrough of Kusal Mendis. Sri Lanka were restricted to 132/7 in their 20 overs.

Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start as Parvez Hossain Emon was dismissed on the very first ball. But Tanzid Hasan smashed an unbeaten 73 off just 47 balls, lacing his knock with one boundary and six sixes. Skipper Litton Das provided crucial support with a 32-run contribution before Towhid Hridoy added an unbeaten 27. The visitors chased down the target in just 16.3 overs, sealing the win with 21 balls to spare. Notably, Litton Das became the first Bangladesh skipper to win two away series in the shortest format of the game. Das was also awarded the Player of the Series for scoring 114 runs in three innings.