Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 2nd ODI: A Thrilling Victory for Bangladesh to Level the Series

The second One-Day International (ODI) of the Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka 2025, played on July 5, 2025, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, was a gripping encounter that saw Bangladesh secure a hard-fought 16-run victory over Sri Lanka, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. After a demoralizing 77-run defeat in the first ODI, marked by a historic batting collapse, Bangladesh bounced back with a disciplined team performance, led by Tanvir Islam’s maiden five-wicket haul and half-centuries from Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy. Despite a blistering 20-ball fifty from Kusal Mendis and a resilient 78 from Janith Liyanage, Sri Lanka fell short chasing 249, succumbing to Bangladesh’s spin attack and late pressure. This match, a historic first ODI win for Bangladesh at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, showcased their resilience and set up an eagerly anticipated series decider in Pallekele.

Following Sri Lanka’s dominant win in the first ODI on July 2, where Charith Asalanka’s century and a devastating 7-for-5 collapse by Bangladesh handed the hosts a 1-0 lead, the second ODI was a must-win for Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s side. Bangladesh’s batting frailties, particularly their middle-order collapse from 100/1 to 105/8 in the first match, put pressure on their top order to deliver. The team retained their probable XI, including Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Litton Das, with Tanvir Islam preferred over Rishad Hossain for his left-arm spin, a decision that proved pivotal. Sri Lanka, led by Asalanka, replaced Milan Rathnayake with Dunith Wellalage to bolster their spin attack, expecting a pitch that would assist spinners as it had in the first ODI’s later stages.

The R. Premadasa pitch was anticipated to be batting-friendly, though it offered early seam movement and increasing grip for spinners, as seen in the first ODI. With periods of rain forecast, both teams prepared for potential interruptions, but the match proceeded without significant delays. Sri Lanka, unbeaten in 11 previous ODIs against Bangladesh at this venue, aimed to seal the series, while Bangladesh sought to end a seven-match ODI losing streak and force a decider.

First Innings: Bangladesh’s Resilient Batting

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, aiming to set a competitive total on a pitch expected to slow down. Their innings started shakily, with Tanzid Hasan edging an Asitha Fernando slower ball for 10 in the third over, leaving them at 10/1. However, Parvez Hossain Emon and Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the ship with a 63-run second-wicket partnership. Emon, aggressive from the outset, reached his maiden ODI fifty off 46 balls, scoring 67 (69 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes), with 72% of his runs on the leg side, exploiting Sri Lanka’s length errors. Shanto, more composed, contributed 14 before falling to Asalanka in the 11th over, leaving Bangladesh at 73/2.

The middle order faced challenges, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4) and Litton Das (0) falling cheaply, exposing Bangladesh’s recurring middle-order woes. At 110/3 after 20 overs, they were poised for 275+, but Sri Lanka’s spinners—Wanindu Hasaranga (3/60) and Dunith Wellalage—tightened the screws. Towhid Hridoy anchored the innings with a fighting 51 off 69 balls, battling cramps in Colombo’s heat, while Jaker Ali (20) and Shamim Hossain (20) chipped in with gritty contributions. Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s stroke-filled 33 not out off 21 balls, including two sixes off Hasaranga, proved crucial, lifting Bangladesh to 248/10 in 45.5 overs. Asitha Fernando (4/35) and Hasaranga were Sri Lanka’s best bowlers, but Bangladesh’s total, though below par for a modern ODI, was competitive given the pitch’s spin-friendly nature.

Second Innings: Sri Lanka’s Chase and Collapse

Chasing 249, Sri Lanka got off to a fiery start, racing to 75/2 in 10 overs, driven by Kusal Mendis’ explosive 56 off 31 balls. Mendis smashed a 20-ball fifty—the fastest ODI fifty at R. Premadasa Stadium, surpassing Thisara Perera’s 23-ball record—and hammered Tanvir Islam for three fours and a six in his early overs. However, Tanvir, encouraged by captain Mehidy to focus on wickets, turned the game. After a costly start (22 runs in two overs), he dismissed Mendis in the 12th over via a successful review, trapping him lbw after Mendis misjudged a leg-side whip. This sparked a dramatic collapse, with Sri Lanka slipping from 75/2 to 170/8 by the 39th over.

Tanvir’s career-best 5/39, including the wickets of Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, and Wanindu Hasaranga, was supported by Shamim Hossain and Mehidy’s off-spin, which extracted grip to force errors. Janith Liyanage, with a valiant 78 off 85 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes), kept Sri Lanka alive, forming a 58-run ninth-wicket stand with Dushmantha Chameera. Liyanage’s six in the 48th over off Mustafizur Rahman reduced the target to 21 off 20 balls, igniting the Colombo crowd. However, Mustafizur’s clever off-cutter led to Liyanage’s soft dismissal (caught and bowled), and Tanzim Hasan Sakib sealed the win by bowling Chameera (out for 8) in the 49th over. Sri Lanka finished at 232/10 in 48.5 overs, 16 runs short.

Key Performances and Milestones

• Tanvir Islam (Bangladesh): Player of the Match for his 5/39 in 10 overs, the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi against Sri Lanka in ODIs. His wickets of Mendis, Kamindu, and Hasaranga were game-changing, earning praise for his variation and composure.
• Parvez Hossain Emon (Bangladesh): Scored a fluent 67 off 69 balls, his maiden ODI fifty, setting a platform with aggressive leg-side play.
• Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh): His 51 off 69 balls, under physical strain, was crucial in stabilizing Bangladesh’s innings.
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib (Bangladesh): Contributed 33* off 21 balls and took 2/34, including the match-sealing wicket of Chameera.
• Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka): Blasted 56 off 31 balls, including a record-breaking 20-ball fifty, but couldn’t convert his start.
• Janith Liyanage (Sri Lanka): Scored a gritty 78 off 85 balls, nearly pulling off an improbable chase.
• Asitha Fernando (Sri Lanka): Took 4/35, dismissing key Bangladesh batsmen to keep their total in check.

Bangladesh’s decision to bat first was strategic, aiming to exploit early batting conditions before the pitch slowed. Their persistence with Tanvir Islam, despite his early struggles, paid off, as Mehidy’s positive captaincy encouraged an attacking approach. The spin trio of Tanvir, Mehidy, and Shamim exploited the pitch’s grip, contrasting with Sri Lanka’s over-reliance on seamers early on. Sri Lanka’s aggressive powerplay approach, led by Mendis, was undone by their middle order’s inability to adapt to spin, with Asalanka (12) and Kamindu Mendis (10) falling to rash shots. Asalanka later admitted the batting unit, barring Liyanage, failed to take responsibility.

A minor controversy arose over a DRS review for Mendis’ lbw, with the on-field umpire’s initial not-out call overturned, prompting debate on X about consistency in umpiring. The pitch, expected to be batting-friendly, offered unexpected turn, catching Sri Lanka off-guard. Bangladesh’s fielding, while improved, saw a dropped catch of Chameera by Tanzim, but it didn’t prove costly.

Bangladesh’s victory was celebrated as a historic milestone, their first ODI win at R. Premadasa Stadium, ending Sri Lanka’s 11-match winning streak against them at the venue. Posts on X from @ICC and @ESPNcricinfo hailed Tanvir’s “spin trap” and Bangladesh’s “nervy win,” with fans praising their resilience after a seven-match losing streak. @ICC noted, “Tanvir Islam’s maiden five-for helped Bangladesh equalise the series against Sri Lanka 👌”. Indian Express and Cricket Times lauded Bangladesh’s composure, while Sri Lankan fans expressed disappointment over missed opportunities, with Asalanka’s candid post-match comments resonating: “We haven’t delivered at home.”

The match highlighted Bangladesh’s growing maturity in high-pressure situations, with Mehidy’s leadership and young talents like Emon and Tanvir stepping up. For Sri Lanka, the loss exposed middle-order vulnerabilities, despite Mendis and Liyanage’s heroics. The series, now poised at 1-1, shifted focus to the decider in Pallekele, with both teams eyeing tactical tweaks—Sri Lanka potentially leaning on spin, and Bangladesh seeking batting stability.

Bangladesh’s middle-order fragility remained a concern, with Mehidy and Litton Das failing to capitalize on starts, echoing their first ODI collapse. Their total of 248 was deemed below par, with India Today noting they “couldn’t convert a solid platform” after reaching 110/2. Sri Lanka’s batting, despite Mendis’ blitz, lacked partnerships, with Asalanka lamenting the lack of responsibility from senior players. The pitch’s unexpected spin-friendly nature challenged both teams’ strategies, and Sri Lanka’s decision to field three seamers (Asitha, Eshan Malinga, Dilshan Madushanka) was questioned as spinners dominated. Rain forecasts, though not impactful, added pressure to complete the game swiftly.

The second ODI at Colombo was a testament to Bangladesh’s fighting spirit, as Tanvir Islam’s five-wicket haul and contributions from Emon, Hridoy, and Tanzim overturned Sri Lanka’s home dominance. Kusal Mendis’ rapid fifty and Janith Liyanage’s valiant 78 kept Sri Lanka in the hunt, but Bangladesh’s spin attack and late composure secured a historic 16-run victory. This win, ending a seven-match ODI losing streak, leveled the series and showcased Bangladesh’s potential under Mehidy Hasan Miraz. As the teams head to Pallekele for the decider on July 8, 2025, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to a fiercely contested series, with both sides eager to claim bragging rights in this storied rivalry.