COLOMBO, July 2, 2025 — Under the lights of R. Premadasa Stadium, it was spin, grit, and a captain's masterclass that lit up Sri Lanka’s emphatic 77-run win over Bangladesh in the opening ODI of the bilateral series. With Charith Asalanka anchoring the innings with a sublime century and the Lankan spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis wreaking havoc, the hosts drew first blood in a contest that quickly went from tightly poised to a one-sided implosion.
🏏 Captain's Composure: Asalanka Stands Tall Amid Chaos
In a match that ebbed and flowed like Colombo’s evening tide, the Sri Lankan top-order initially crumbled, slumping to a precarious 29/3 inside eight overs. But skipper Charith Asalanka, stepping up just when his team needed it most, played what will likely be remembered as one of his finest innings in national colors. Mixing patience with poise, his 106 off 107 balls wasn’t just a score — it was the foundation, glue, and eventual fuel of Sri Lanka’s comeback.
Supported by handy contributions from Kusal Mendis (45) and late-order cameos by Milan Rathnayake (22) and Wanindu Hasaranga (22), Sri Lanka reached 244 before being bowled out with four balls to spare. Bangladesh pacers, particularly Taskin Ahmed (4/47) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (3/46), had their moments, but failed to contain the flow in the middle and final overs.
🔁 Bangladesh’s Promising Start Turns to Nightmare
When openers Tanzid Hasan and debutant Parvez Hossain Emon strode out confidently, Bangladesh looked like a side on a mission. Tanzid’s aggressive strokeplay saw him notch up a 51-ball fifty, and the visitors raced to 100/1 in 16 overs, cruising in a chase that seemed well under control.
But cricket, as ever, is a game of moments — and Sri Lanka seized them.
Shanto’s unfortunate run-out opened the floodgates. What followed was nothing short of carnage. Hasaranga’s magic arm and Kamindu Mendis’s ambidextrous wizardry triggered a collapse that saw Bangladesh lose 7 wickets for 5 runs, collapsing from 100/1 to 105/8.
Hasaranga ended with a staggering 4/10 in just 5 overs, while Kamindu’s mysterious variations fetched him 3/19. Bangladesh’s middle order crumbled like a house of cards, with Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, and Mehidy Hasan offering little resistance.
💥 Jaker Ali’s Lone Battle
Amid the ruins, one man stood tall — Jaker Ali. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter fought a near-lone battle, mixing innovation with intelligence. His 51 off 59 balls included crisp boundaries and towering sixes, notably targeting Theekshana and even Asalanka himself. At one point, his efforts gave faint glimmers of a miraculous turnaround.
But Hasaranga returned to shut down the show, trapping Jaker LBW and sealing the match in the 36th over. Bangladesh was bowled out for 167, a dismal collapse considering their early dominance.
🔍 Tactical Triumph: Spin, Pressure & Precision
Sri Lanka’s win was more than just a bowling show. It was a statement of intent from a side that’s been quietly rebuilding. Their bowling strategy — introducing spin early and rotating between Hasaranga and Kamindu — completely disrupted Bangladesh’s rhythm. Even when pace was employed, Asitha Fernando and Rathnayake offered tight lines and bounce to choke the scoring.
In contrast, Bangladesh’s decision-making — especially during their collapse — raised questions. Poor shot selection, lack of communication between partners, and failure to read the spinners’ variations were glaring issues.
🏟️ A Series Poised for High Drama
This win gives Sri Lanka a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and more importantly, momentum and confidence ahead of the second ODI. For Bangladesh, it's back to the drawing board. The absence of experienced campaigners in pressure situations showed, and the team will need to reassess both their middle-order stability and their approach to spin.
For Asalanka, this century — his fifth in ODIs — couldn’t have come at a better time. With Sri Lanka in a rebuilding phase under his leadership, performances like these will go a long way in shaping the team’s ODI future. The spinners, too, made a loud statement: the Premadasa pitch is their playground, and visitors beware.
📺 Looking Ahead
The second ODI, scheduled for July 5 at the same venue, promises to be a cracker. Bangladesh will be eager to bounce back, likely reshuffling their middle-order and possibly reinforcing their spin department. But one thing is clear — in Colombo, if you can’t handle the spin, you don’t win.