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At the R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka put on a commanding all-round performance to secure a 77-run win in the opening ODI of the three-game series against Bangladesh. Charith Asalanka‘s captain’s knock laid the foundation with a superb century before Sri Lanka’s spinners orchestrated a dramatic collapse. Bangladesh, despite a bright start, stumbled from a promising position to suffer one of the worst collapses in ODI history. The hosts now lead the series 1-0 with plenty of positives to take forward.
Charith Asalanka’s masterclass sets up Sri Lanka’s competitive total
Asalanka rose to the occasion with a composed and authoritative knock of 106 off 123 deliveries. Coming in with Sri Lanka reeling at 29/3, he rebuilt the innings with partnerships alongside Janith Liyanage (29) and Milan Rathnayake (22), pacing his innings with intelligent strike rotation and selective boundary-hitting. Asalanka struck six fours and four sixes en route to his fifth ODI century, a crucial effort that bailed Sri Lanka out of trouble.
This was also his fourth ODI hundred at the R Premadasa Stadium, putting him in elite company alongside Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya for most tons at this ground. Despite regular wickets at the other end, he held firm and guided the side to 244 before falling in the final over. Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Taskin Ahmed (4/47) and Tanzim Sakib (3/45), made regular inroads, but none could dislodge Asalanka during the critical middle overs. The innings was a perfect mix of grit, leadership and timing, as Sri Lanka posted a total that gave their bowlers a cushion.
Bangladesh unravels in historic collapse as Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis wreak havoc
Chasing 245, Bangladesh started aggressively with Tanzid Hasan striking a fluent 62 and helping the team to 100 inside 17 overs. At 100/2, they appeared well-placed to chase the target. However, what followed was sheer disaster, a catastrophic collapse of 7 wickets for just 5 runs, as the visitors crumbled to 105/9 within the next four overs.
Wanindu Hasaranga (4/10) was simply unplayable, striking with variations and bounce, while Kamindu Mendis (3/19) turned the game completely in Sri Lanka’s favour. The batting lineup disintegrated: Litton Das and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell for ducks, while Towhid Hridoy, Sakib and Taskin couldn’t resist the spin web. Only Jaker Ali showed fight with a defiant 51, but by then, the damage was done. This collapse was the second-worst seven-wicket tumble in men’s ODI history, only behind Zimbabwe’s infamous 2008 collapse against the same opposition. Bangladesh folded for 167 in 35.5 overs, giving Sri Lanka a convincing win. The spin trio and sharp fielding efforts ensured the game flipped dramatically in a short span, underlining the hosts’ growing balance and potency in home conditions.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Over in Colombo, Bangladesh have lost 7-5 (seven wickets for five runs) against Sri Lanka, the second-worst seven-wicket collapse in men's ODI history. Only Zimbabwe's slide from 124-3 to 127 all out in 2008, also against Sri Lanka, beats it
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden)
First Blood to Sri Lanka! 💪
Brilliant display by our Lions! Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 77 runs and take 1-0 lead in the ODI series! On to the next one!
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
What a dramatic collapse at RPS. Bangladesh were 100 for 1 and then all of a sudden 105 for 8 as 7 wickets fall for 5 runs in the space of 26 deliveries. Goes to show what difference fielding can do. Milan Rathnayake with run out and then Janith Liyanage with that stunning catch.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine)
This is some ridiculous and hilarious 🤣😆 performance by Bangladesh….7 wickets down in just 5 runs…In a ODI match is just comedy 🤣😀
— Ayan Khanra (@AyanKha93842862)
Sri Lanka won 1st ODI by 77 Runs. Magnificent Knock C Asalanka 106(123)[Player of the Match]. What a Spell W Hasaranga 4/10 and Kamindu Mendis 3/19. Superb Knock Kusal Mendis 45(43).
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan)
Proper free fall!
Bangladesh 100-1
Bangladesh 105-8
Last few batters: 23 0 62 1 0 1 0
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
Unprecedented, Bangladesh have just collapsed from 100-1 to 105-8 vs SL
— Udit (@udit_buch)
Bangladesh are shockingly bad when they get a good start they always collapse
— ⭐⭐⭐Like-a-VIRGIL⭐⭐⭐ (@Like_A_VIRGIL_4)
What a collapse by Bangladesh batting unit from 100-1 to 105-8😵, its impossible to tackle Srilankan spinners in their home grounds, Take a bow kamindu mendis and Hasranga.
— Singh Saab 🇮🇳 (@blogs_mr51712)
Wanindu Hasaranga Joins Elite Club – 100 ODI Wickets in Just 64 Matches! 🎯🔥
The Sri Lankan star continues to rise! Hasaranga became the second-fastest Sri Lankan ever to do so. 👏
A true match-winner with the ball, Hasaranga’s impact in white-ball cricket keeps growing with…
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
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