Sri Lanka recorded a comfortable series whitewash against Bangladesh on Saturday, winning the third ODI by six wickets in Dhaka thanks to a century from opener Kusal Perera.
Bangladesh recorded 240 for eight, with a string of middling scores topped by a 60 from Mominul Haque. It was never going to be enough though, as Sri Lanka reached the target with nearly three overs to spare.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first. They struck quickly, removing Anamul Haque for single figures, and then with regularity after that. Mominul’s half ton was the only such score of the knock.
But the Tigers did record a bunch of 30s, which were frustrating in their averageness, given the side’s need to win the match to get some positive momentum going into the Asia Cup next wee.
The target was defendable, and though they removed Lahiru Thirimanne and Kithruwan Vithanage cheaply, it needed a sterling bowling effort, which they did not produce. Missing star spinner Shakib-al-Hasan due to a ban, it was hopeless.
Kusal’s century came off 118 ball, and he put on a stand of 138 with Dinesh Chandimal, who made 64 himself and they took the side to the brink. They were unable to see the side home, but Angelo Mathews and Ashan Priyanjan did the job.
