SL VS BAN 3RD T20I

Right then, that is it from the series! Charith Asalanka's masterclass in the first game and then the home side went bang bang in the second one to level the series. A five-fer from Nuwan Thushara in the third, made the visitors lift the trophy here at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. What's next? The two sides will face each other in the 50-over format in the three-match series. The first one will be on Wednesday, the 13th of March, at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). We would love your company for that game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Wanindu Hasaranga the skipper of Sri Lanka says that the boys played really well throughout. Adds that he is happy that he could perform and Nuwan Thushara was excellent. Adds that winning this gives them confidence for the upcoming World Cup.

Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his 181 runs in the 3 games. He says it was two-paced early on and after 6 overs it was manageable. Adds that Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga played well in the middle and made it easier. Mentions that bowlers did a great job.

Nuwan Thushara is the Player of the Match for his five-fer. He speaks in his local language and says that he is happy that he is back with his rhythm and that he performed well. Ends by saying that he is happy he could win the game and the series for his country.

Najmul Hossain Shanto the skipper of Bangladesh says they came back strongly with the ball after Sri Lanka got off to the start. Credits Nuwan Thushara for the kind of bowling he did and mentions they will have to play better in the first 6 overs. Adds that they played good cricket in all the 3 games and Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed performed well for them. Concludes that they will take a lot of confidence from this series into the ODI's.

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Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka opted to bat first and lost early wickets but recovered well with a solid partnership between Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga. Mendis played aggressively to score a fifty and continued to dominate, reaching 86 runs before falling out to Taskin Ahmed. Despite some failures in the middle order, Dasun Shanaka's quick cameo helped Sri Lanka reach a competitive total of over 170 runs. The Bangladesh bowlers, led by Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, picked up crucial wickets, with Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman also contributing with a wicket each.

Well, well, the Lankan bowlers spat fire from the very first ball. They never let the Bangladesh batters settle into the game. Dhananjaya de Silva drew the first blood for the Lankans in his very first delivery, who came in as a replacement for the injured Angelo Mathews. Nuwan Thushara, though, was the star of the show, picking up a hat-trick in his first over, which was a maiden as well. They had a slight hiccup with dismissing Rishad Hossain, but once that was done, they got the game back under their control. Nuwan Thushara ended up with a five-fer. The skipper, Wanindu Hasaranga picked up two while Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dhananjaya de Silva chipped in with one.

Chasing 175 was never going to be an easy task but Sri Lanka made it even worse for the home side. Bangladesh were under the pump from the word go. None of their batters were able to find their groove at the start and were dealt with some massive damage. Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed showed intent and played a brilliant knock but they couldn't recover from the damage done to them earlier. Taskin Ahmed scored 31 off 21 while Rishad Hossain smashed 7 sixes on his way to 53. He missed one off Theekshana and with his wicket, the visitors took control of the series. Nevertheless, the side will surely take the lessons from this enthralling series back.

What a thrilling game! Sri Lanka dominates the series decider away from home and will keep their hands on the trophy here. Bangladesh, courtesy of a brilliant half-ton from Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed's quickfire cameo, did present some fight after a very poor start. However, once Rishad Hossain departed, things were beyond the reach of the home side.

OUT! TAKEN! That's a wrap and Sri Lanka win this game with 28 runs to seal the series 2-1. Shanaka bowls this on a good length around off, Taskin Ahmed goes for the big slog and gets it right over deep mid-wicket. Dhananjaya de Silva in the deep times his jump perfectly to grab the ball and throws it back in as he crosses the rope losing some balance. He turns quickly and gets back in to complete the catch.

Goes fuller and well outside off, Taskin Ahmed leaves it hoping for it to be called a wide.

On a back of a length over middle, Taskin Ahmed tries to pull but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Serves it on a length and into the body, Taskin Ahmed looks for the slog but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

WIDE! Bowls it on a length down leg, Taskin Ahmed looks to pulls but gets beaten for a wide.

SIX! Fizz joins the party and sends this one up and over. Fuller delivery on off, Mustafizur Rahman slices it over cover for a maximum. Bangladesh need 30 runs of the last over.

Slower delivery on a length outsdie off, Mustafizur Rahman misses out on connection trying to slash at it.