DHAKA, July 2, 2025 (BSS)-Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed came back with a bang by 
claiming 4-47 as Bangladesh bundled out Sri Lanka for 244 in the first of 
three-match ODI series at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo today.

In an otherwise a pretty flat deck, Taskin who just returned to the squad 
after recovering from an injury roared exceptionally to deny Sri Lanka a big 
total despite its captain Charith Asalanka's scintillating 106.

Taskin scythed down Sri Lanka's top order in his first spell by removing 
opener Nishan Madushka and ever dangerous Kamindu Mendis. In between Tanzim 
Hasan Sakib had informed opener Pathum Nissanka caught by Liton Das for duck, 
reducing Sri Lanka to 29-3 in seventh over as they opted to bat first.

Taskin bowled a maiden over and even could have got the wicket of Nissanka 
also as the opener found him in wanting against the fast bowler. However, 
Tanizm reaped the rewards of Taskin's good work by dismissing Nissanka.

Kusal Mendis scored second best 45 for Sri Lanka and added 60-run with 
captain Asalanka to bring Sri Lanka back in the contest.

Kusal dominated the partnership by attacking the Bangladesh bowlers in 
precision. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam trapped him leg-before for his 
maiden wicket as Kusal was denied a half-century by five runs.

But Asalanka was calm like cucumber. Amid the tumbling of the wickets, he 
stayed focused on his job and counterattacked in style to keep the scoreboard 
flowing.

Janith Liyanage gave him the required support as the duo looked well set to 
take the total out of reach for Bangladesh.

The visiting side got the breakthrough from an unlikely source. With the key 
bowlers failing to break the partnership, captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a 
gamble by calling up the occasional spin of Najmul Hossain Shanto.

And the gamble paid off as Shanto had Liyanage holing out to long on for 29, 
ending the 64-run partnership. 

Asalanka raised his second ton against Bangladesh and overall his fifth off 
117 balls, guiding a delivery of Tanzim Hasan Sakib for a single. 

Milan Rathnayake and Wanindu Hasaranga scored 22 each to give the captain 
some support. However, Asalanka was the ninth batter out in the first ball of 
the last over, when Tanzim got the better of him to end with 3-46. 

Asalanka struck six fours and four sixes in his 123 ball-106. His dismissal 
effectively ended Sri Lanka's chance to go past 250-run mark.