Bangladesh, granted ODI status in 1997, remains without a One-Day International series win on Sri Lankan soil, nearly three decades later.
The Tigers had a golden opportunity to end this drought in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's side couldn't seize it.
Instead, Sri Lanka showcased their home dominance, securing the ODI series after also winning the Test series.
On Tuesday, July 8th, Sri Lanka batted first and set a challenging target of 286 runs for Bangladesh. In response, Bangladesh was bundled out for just 186, handing Sri Lanka a massive 99-run victory and a 2-1 series win.
Chasing a daunting target, Bangladesh got off to a poor start. They found themselves under pressure when Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for 19 and Shanto for 20. However, opener Parvez Emon kept the scoreboard ticking from the other end. His aggressive batting saw Bangladesh reach their fifty in just 9 overs.
But Emon couldn't convert his start into a big innings. He was caught out in the 14th over trying to hit Wellalage over the top, departing for 28 runs off 44 balls.
Following Emon's dismissal, captain Miraz joined Towhid Hridoy to steady the innings.
Riding on their partnership, the Tigers reached 100 runs in 19 overs. Soon after, Miraz was caught on the boundary line attempting a six off Wellalage, falling for 28 runs off 25 balls. This left Bangladesh in deep trouble at 105 for 4.
Shamim Hossain Patwari, batting at number six, started cautiously. However, he was caught behind off the first ball of the 28th over, contributing 12 runs from 18 balls.
Despite Shamim's departure, Towhid Hridoy held his ground at the other end, reaching his fifty off 75 balls. But the star batter was bowled just two balls later.
Shakib Al Hasan, who played a brilliant innings in the previous match, failed to shine with the bat this time, getting out for 5 runs off 8 balls.
Taskin Ahmed provided little support, scoring just 1 run, effectively knocking Bangladesh out of the match at 8 wickets down.
However, Zakir Ali fought on from one end, but his dismissal for 27 runs off 35 balls sealed Bangladesh's fate. In the end, Tanvir Islam's 8 runs off 10 balls saw the Tigers all out for 186, giving the hosts a comfortable 99-run victory.
For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera each claimed three wickets, while Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga took two wickets apiece.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka also had a shaky start with opener Nishan Madushka dismissed for just 1 run.
However, Pathum Nissanka, alongside Kusal Mendis, began to build the innings. Nissanka couldn't make a big score, caught off Tanvir for 35 runs off 47 balls.
Kamindu Mendis also failed to make an impact with the bat, falling leg before wicket to Miraz in his first over of bowling, contributing 16 runs off 20 balls.
But Kusal Mendis anchored the innings from the other end, reaching his fifty off 58 balls with seven boundaries.
Asalanka also brought up his fifty off 60 balls with nine boundaries, while Kusal Mendis neared his century, reaching the milestone off 95 balls and steering his team towards a formidable total.
These two batsmen were crucial in guiding Sri Lanka towards a big score. However, Miraz brought Taskin into the attack in the 41st over.
The Bangladeshi pacer trapped the Sri Lankan captain with a catch out on the third ball of the over. He scored 58 runs off 68 balls.
In the 45th over, Janith Liyanage was hit wicket off the last ball, scoring 12 runs off 17 balls. In the next over, Miraz brought Shamim Patwari into the bowling attack.
On the fourth ball, Kusal Mendis was caught out trying to hit Shamim over the top, departing for 124 runs off 114 balls. This slowed down Sri Lanka's scoring rate.
Ultimately, contributions from Wanindu Hasaranga (18 off 14 balls) and Dushmantha Chameera (10 runs) helped Sri Lanka post a strong total of 285 for 7 wickets.
