SL vs BAN, 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka batter Bangladesh by 99 runs to seal series

Sri Lanka secured a decisive 99-run victory against Bangladesh in the final ODI at Pallekele, winning the three-match series 2-1.Bangladesh, chasing 286, were dismissed for 186 in under 40 overs as Sri Lanka's bowling attack dominated the match.Sri Lanka's performance marks a significant improvement in ODI cricket following their disappointing ninth-place finish at the 2023 World Cup in India, which cost them qualification for this year's Champions Trophy.The team has since won seven out of nine ODI series, including victories over Australia and India."This is probably one of our best games. We were under pressure and we wanted to win badly and Kusal Mendis was superb today. When we ended up scoring 285, we knew we had the runs on the board and the bowlers' job became easy," said Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka.Kusal Mendis played a crucial role in the series-deciding victory, scoring 124 runs from 114 balls for his sixth ODI century.Mendis, who faced criticism for his dismissal in the second ODI loss in Colombo, responded with a composed innings featuring 18 boundaries.He joined the action in the fourth over and formed a crucial 124-run partnership with captain Asalanka for the fourth wicket."Very pleased with the knock today. Was disappointed with what happened in Colombo. I had got a start and couldn't finish. Here I was determined to bat through the innings and very satisfied," said Mendis, who won both man of the match and player of the series awards.Sri Lanka's initial momentum suggested a 300-plus total, but Bangladesh's effective death bowling limited them to 285 for seven.Bangladesh's chase struggled early as their top order collapsed quickly. Dushmantha Chameera, playing his first series in over a year due to injury, made an impact with his fast bowling.He dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto for zero with a delivery that moved sharply to hit the off stump. Chameera later removed Towhid Hridoy, who had scored a half-century, with another inswinging delivery.He finished with three wickets for 51 runs, while Asitha Fernando also claimed three wickets. The teams will next compete in a three-match T20I series starting Thursday at Pallekele."We started off well and we tried to bat positive, but the scoreboard pressure got to us. But we are rebuilding the team and (there are) a lot of young players... we have a lot of positives," said Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.