Bangladesh made their 100th test a memorable one by beating Sri Lanka for the first time in the longest format of the game and levelled the series 1-1. They carried forward that confidence and momentum by winning the first of three One-Day Internationals at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. Bangladesh beat Lanka by 90 runs after setting them a record 325 to win in the first ODI. Led by a brilliant knock of 127 off 142 balls from Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the series after bowling Sri Lanka out for 234. This was the first time that Bangladesh have successfully defended a total against Sri Lanka; their other wins have come chasing.
During the course of his century, Tamim became the first Bangladesh cricketer to amass over 10,000 international runs, notching the highest-ever score by a Bangladesh batsman against Sri Lanka. In addition, Shakib Al Hasan (72) and Tamim's stand of 144 was also the highest-ever in an ODI between the two sides.
Sri Lanka who were without the services of Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga due to injury and Niroshan Dickwella, who was suspended, never really were in the chase to begin with. In order to scale a total of that magnitude, they needed a good start at the top. Danushka Gunathilaka falling leg before to skipper Mashrafe Mortaza off the third ball of the innings set the tone for the visitors. The other standout difference between the sides was fielding, with Bangladesh displaying immense intensity and commitment in contrast to Sri Lanka's insipid performance.
Mehedi Hasan, who was handed his debut cap, troubled the Sri Lankans from the outset, beating the bat on a couple of occasions. The batsmen struggled as they failed to read him. Skipper Upul Tharanga survived a close stumping chance, but he was rewarded in the sixth over when Kusal Mendis hit out straight to deep midwicket as Sri Lanka were reeling at 15 for 2. At the end of the 15th over, the required run-rate had soared over 8, and Sri Lanka were 43 for 3 in contrast to Bangladesh's 89 for 1 at the same stage. The loss of regular wickets didn't help their cause.
Dinesh Chandimal (59) and Asela Gunratne (24) added 56 runs for the fourth wicket, but the pair departed within five overs of each other. Sachith Pathirana (31) and Milinda Siriwardana (22) added a few runs, but it was Thisara Perera's cameo that have exuded hope for Sri Lanka, who needed 122 off the last 10 overs. Despite his valiant knock of 55 off 35, kept Sri Lanka in the chase for longer than anticipated, it was all too much to ask for from the hosts.
Earlier, Sabbir Rahman started cautiously after Soumya Sarkar departed for 10, taking nine balls to get his first run. But once he did, with a boundary, there was no looking back as the dynamic youngster went on to add 90 runs for the second wicket with Tamim, en route his fourth one-day fifty. While Sabbir took on the role of the aggressor, Tamim was happy to play second fiddle in the stand. Sabbir scored 54 as the pair led Bangladesh to 64 for 1 in ten overs, setting the tone for the innings.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 324/5 in 50 overs (Tamim Iqbal 127, Sabbir Rahman 54, Shakib Al Hasan 72; Suranga Lakmal 2-45) vs Sri Lanka 234 in 45.1 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 59, Thisara Perers 55; Mashrafe Mortaza 2-35, Mehedi Hasan 2-43, Mustafizur Rahman 3-56) by 90 runs.
