Perera guides Sri Lanka to 286 against Bangladesh

Sri Lankan captain Kusal Perera hit his sixth ODI 100
AFP

Sri Lankan captain Kusal Perera hit his sixth ODI 100 to guide his team to the challenging total of 286 for six in 50 overs against Bangladesh Friday.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the last match of the three-match ODI series. They took the field with four changes to their last playing XI. Bangladesh also made two changes to their playing XI.

Perera, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, started playing aggressively from the first over. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman was dropped thrice while reaching his 100.

At the first chance, Perera tried to play a reverse-sweep off Shakib Al Hasan but he only skied the ball. Mustafizur Rahman came running but failed to grab the chance.

Perera skied the ball off Shakib again when he was at 70, but Afif Hossain failed to catch it and Mahmudullah dropped him on 99.

Perera reached his hundred off 99 deliveries and finally perished at 120 as Mahmudullah took a superb catch at mid-on.

Dhananjaya de Silva was the only other Sri Lankan batsman who was brilliant in the middle. He remained unbeaten for 55 off 70 balls.

Sri Lanka's biggest partnership came in the first-wicket stand when Perera and Dhananjaya scored 82 runs. Taskin Ahmed, who was the best bowler for the hosts in this game, broke the partnership.

In the first two games, Taskin failed to grab any wicket. He was not a part of the playing XI in the second game, but the concussion of Mohammad Saifuddin came as a blessing in disguise for him and he got the chance to play as a substitute.

Taskin took four wickets conceding 46 runs in nine overs today. Mustafizur and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who were the best bowlers for Bangladesh in the first two games, failed to take any wicket.

Bangladesh have already won the series, and they have claimed the top place in the World Cup Super League points table. Now, the hosts are looking forward to registering a clean sweep over the Lankan Lions.