Sri Lanka, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, won the T20I series 2-1 against Bangladesh. The series was tied at 101 and Sri Lanka won the third T20I to claim another victory in the T20I series. Hasaranga, who returned to play the last match, took 2/32 on his return.

Sri Lanka won the first T20I by just three runs which was a very close game, Bangladesh then chased down 166 to win the second T20I by 8 wickets. The Lankans came back in the third T20I to win the match by 28 runs. The visitors scored 174/7 with Kusal Mendis scoring 86 with the bat.

In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 with right-arm pacer Nuwan Untilara taking 5/20. Hasaranga got two, while Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva got one each.

The rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka began in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy with the Bangladesh team dancing the famous “Nagin dance” after beating Sri Lanka and reaching the final of the Tri-Series. The rivalry continues with Shakib Al Hasan playing a decisive role in the dismissal of Angelo Mathews in the World Cup. In this series a new chapter was written in these three games while tempers flared.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha was speaking at the press conference ahead of the decisive match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He said “We are in a position to change history” when asked about Bangladesh’s first T20I series win against Sri Lanka.

However, when asked about Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga, he said the leggie is “just another player” for the Bangladesh team. “Wanindu Hasaranga is another player for us. “We play what is in front of us” Hathurusingha said.

Taking his opportunity in the post-match presentation, Hasaranga criticized the Bangladesh team after being in the T20I series. He talked about watching the first two games from a distance and then contributing to the team’s victory in the third game. He further said that his bowling attack was too good for the opposition in the decider.

Our bowling attack is too good for them: Wanindu Hasaranga

“I watched the first two games from the locker room, we played very well in all three games. In day games I trust my abilities and support myself. It was his first game of the series and he pitched very well. Our bowling attack was too good for them. “This is our last series before the World Cup and we can have a lot of confidence.” Hasaranga said.

Bangladeshi pattern Najmul Hossain Shanto congratulated the Sri Lanka team for the series victory and said that as a team they are now looking forward to the ODI series and the Test series that follows. All three ODIs will be played in Chattogram. The first Test will be played in Sylhet and the second again in Chattogram. The series concludes on April 3.

“The way they started, they batted brilliantly, but we came back very well to restrict them to 174. Credit goes to Nuwan, he bowled brilliantly, but we have to look back and see how we played the first six overs. We played good cricket in all three matches, happy for Rishad. We can be very confident in this series, but ODI is a different format, we are waiting for it.” Shanto said after the match.

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