Bangladesh etched their name into the record books on Wednesday (July 16) with a commanding 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, marking their first-ever bilateral series triumph on Sri Lankan soil in any format.
A dominant 8-wicket victory in the third and final T20I at the R. Premadasa Stadium capped off a historic campaign under newly-appointed captain Litton Das.
Chasing a modest target of 133, Bangladesh suffered an immediate setback when opener Parvez Hossain Emon fell for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings — his second consecutive duck in the series.
However, Tanzid Hasan Tamim rose to the occasion with a blistering, unbeaten 73 off 47 deliveries, anchoring the innings with poise and power.
Tanzid’s innings featured six sixes and a boundary, and he maintained a strike rate of 155.31. His fifth T20I half-century came at a crucial moment, and his 74-run stand with Litton Das for the second wicket helped Bangladesh recover from the early blow. Litton contributed a steady 32 before departing.
Towhid Hridoy remained not out on 27, guiding the team home with 11 balls to spare.
If the batters made it look easy, it was the bowlers — particularly Mehedi Hasan — who set the stage for the victory. Recalled into the side, Mehedi delivered a career-best performance, returning 4 for 11 in four overs, including a maiden. His precision and flight left the Sri Lankan top order in disarray.
Sri Lanka, having opted to bat first, could muster only 132 for 9 in 20 overs, a total well below par on a batting-friendly Colombo track. Mehedi’s spell was instrumental in throttling the run flow and dismantling momentum. This performance eclipsed his previous best of 4 for 13, achieved against West Indies in 2024.
The T20I series victory comes as redemption for Bangladesh after narrowly missing out in the ODI leg of the tour earlier this month. The win also marks a successful captaincy debut for Litton Das, who praised the team’s collective effort and fighting spirit.
“This is not just a win, it’s a statement,” Litton said post-match. “To come here and beat Sri Lanka in their backyard is something we’ve dreamt of for a long time.”
The victory is a significant boost for Bangladesh’s T20I setup as they gear up for the upcoming global tournaments. It also highlights the rise of young talents like Tanzid Hasan and the resurgence of experienced campaigners such as Mehedi Hasan.
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