Image: Bangladesh sealed a 8-wicket win over Sri Lanka / © ESPNCricinfo
With the series tied at 1-1, the third T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16, 2025, was a thrilling decider in the Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka. Bangladesh clinched an emphatic 8-wicket victory with 21 balls to spare, chasing down Sri Lanka’s 132 for 7 in just 16.3 overs to secure their first-ever T20I series win against Sri Lanka. The match, played under lights, showcased Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling, led by Mahedi Hasan’s career-best 4 for 11, and a dominant chase powered by Tanzid Hasan’s unbeaten 73.
Sri Lanka, led by captain Charith Asalanka, won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a challenging total on a pitch known for favouring chases in night games. The hosts aimed to bounce back after being bowled out for 94 in the second T20I, relying on their experienced top order to deliver.
The innings started poorly. Kusal Mendis, fresh off a match-winning 73 in the first T20I, fell for 6 off 4 balls in the first over, caught by Towhid Hridoy off Shoriful Islam’s bowling. Kusal Perera followed quickly, dismissed for a duck off 1 ball in the second over, caught by Tanzid Hasan off Mahedi Hasan. By the end of the powerplay (0.1-6.0 overs), Sri Lanka were struggling at 40 for 3, with Dinesh Chandimal (4 off 5) falling to Mahedi, caught by Jaker Ali in the fifth over. Mahedi’s fiery spell continued, as he bowled Asalanka for 3 off 8 balls in the eighth over, leaving Sri Lanka at 49 for 4.
Pathum Nissanka provided some resistance, anchoring the innings with a gritty 46 off 39 balls, including four fours. His steady knock held the top order together, but he fell in the 11th over, caught and bowled by Mahedi, leaving Sri Lanka at 66 for 5. Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 21 off 15 balls, hitting a four and a six, but was dismissed in the 14th over, caught by Tanzim Hasan Sakib off Shamim Hossain’s bowling. At 88 for 6, Sri Lanka were in deep trouble, with the crowd growing restless.
Dasun Shanaka, batting at No. 7, sparked a late fightback, smashing an unbeaten 35 off 25 balls with four fours and two sixes. His 22-run onslaught in the final over, bowled by Shoriful Islam, gave Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope. Jeffrey Vandersay contributed 7 off 14 before falling to Mustafizur Rahman in the 17th over, caught by Tanzim. Maheesh Theekshana, unbeaten on 6 off 9, supported Shanaka to push Sri Lanka to 132 for 7 in their 20 overs, a total that seemed below par given the batting-friendly conditions. Extras (4, including 3 wides) added little to the score.
Bangladesh’s bowlers were disciplined. Mahedi Hasan was the standout, earning Player of the Match for his 4 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden, with an economy of 2.75. His 17 dot balls and early wickets ripped through Sri Lanka’s top order. Mustafizur Rahman was tidy, taking 1 for 17 in 4 overs, while Shamim Hossain’s 1 for 10 in 2 overs included Kamindu’s wicket. Shoriful Islam (1 for 50) was expensive, especially in the final over, but his early strike set the tone. Rishad Hossain (0 for 20) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0 for 23) kept things tight, ensuring Sri Lanka couldn’t break free. The crowd’s energy, with their constant drumming, kept the atmosphere alive despite Sri Lanka’s struggles.
Chasing 133, Bangladesh fielded a confident XI and after their 83-run rout of Sri Lanka in the second T20I, they were determined to carry the momentum and clinch the series. The chase started with a hiccup. Parvez Hossain Emon was trapped lbw for a duck off the first ball by Nuwan Thushara, with the DRS review upholding the decision. Bangladesh were 0 for 1, but Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das steadied the ship. Tanzid, playing a match-defining knock, remained unbeaten on 73 off 47 balls, smashing one four and six sixes at a strike rate of 155.31.
His aggressive approach, especially against spin, was electric, with five of his sixes coming post-powerplay. Litton, the captain, contributed 32 off 26 balls, including two fours and a six, before falling in the ninth over, caught by Kusal Perera off Kamindu Mendis. Their 74-run second-wicket stand off 50 balls (run rate 8.88) broke the back of the chase. Towhid Hridoy joined Tanzid, and the duo added an unbeaten 59 runs off 48 balls for the third wicket. Hridoy’s calm 27 not out off 25 balls, with a four and a six, complemented Tanzid’s fireworks.
Bangladesh reached 50 in 6.1 overs and 100 in 12.1 overs, cruising at a run rate of 8.06. Tanzid’s fifty came off 27 balls, punctuated by a flurry of sixes that silenced the Colombo crowd. The winning run came in the 17th over, a single off Maheesh Theekshana, as Bangladesh finished at 133 for 2 in 16.3 overs, sealing an 8-wicket win. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to make inroads.
Nuwan Thushara (1 for 25) struck early but couldn’t sustain pressure. Kamindu Mendis (1 for 21) dismissed Litton, but his three overs were costly. Maheesh Theekshana (0 for 30 in 3.3 overs) and Jeffrey Vandersay (0 for 29) were ineffective against Tanzid’s onslaught. Binura Fernando (0 for 11) and Asalanka (0 for 16) couldn’t find breakthroughs, with only 5 dot balls between them. Bangladesh’s disciplined chase, backed by just one extra (a leg bye), showcased their intent and execution.
When it comes to turning a game on its head, Mahedi Hasan was the guy, grabbing the TCNI Magic Moment of the Day for his insane bowling against Sri Lanka. He bowled 4 overs, picking up 4 wickets for just 11 runs. Man, that’s an economy of 2.75! He didn’t let a single four or six get hit off him, and 17 of his 24 balls were dots. Talk about locking things down! He started with a bang, getting Kusal Perera out for zero in the second over, then knocked over Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka quick-smart.
The big one was Pathum Nissanka, who made 46 off 39, caught and bowled in the 11th. That broke Sri Lanka’s spirit, and they ended up at 132 for 7 in 20 overs. While Shoriful Islam got smashed for 50, Mahedi was like a wall, barely giving them room to swing. His tight lines and cool head just choked the batters. Mahedi set it up for Bangladesh to take control, and everyone could see he was loving every wicket he grabbed out there.
Talking about the TCNI’s Hero of the Day, Tanzid Hasan was an absolute beast chasing 133 against Sri Lanka. He stayed not out on 73 off 47 balls, with a strike rate of 155.31, smashing one four and six massive sixes. The game was on fire as soon as Parvez Hossain Emon got out on the first ball, Tanzid took charge, putting on 74 with Litton Das, who scored 32 off 26. Tanzid batted for 77 minutes, mixing chill singles with some huge hits. He made bowlers like Nuwan Thushara, who took 1 for 25, and Maheesh Theekshana, who gave up 30 with no wickets, look ordinary.
Towhid Hridoy helped out with an unbeaten 27 off 25, but Tanzid was the guy making it happen. Sri Lanka’s bowlers didn’t give any wides or extras, so every run was earned. With a run rate of 8.06, Bangladesh wrapped it up in 16.3 overs, and Tanzid was the heart of it and he was picking his moments to go big or just keep the scoreboard ticking. That kind of knock wins games, and he made it look so easy, like he was born to bat under pressure.