Thushara claims hat-trick on way to five-for to finish Bangladesh off in decider
Despite the big defeat, Rishad Hossain's performance with ball and bat would have made Bangladesh happy
Despite the big defeat, Rishad Hossain's performance with ball and bat would have made Bangladesh happy
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Madushka Balasuriya
And with that it's a wrap from us. Many thanks to all those who wrote in and kept myself and Fidel company. A reminder that the ODIs start on Wednesday, and that Isam's report for this game will be up shortly. For now though, on behalf of the team, this is Madushka signing out!
Wanindu Hasaranga: "I watched the first two games in the dressing room, our boys played well throughout the series. The credit should go to the batters who batted really well, while the bowlers also defended very well. [Wicket was conducive to bowling?] Especially in the day game I trust my skills, and in a day game I know the wicket will grip so I trust myself. [Thushara] It's his first game this series, he bowled really well. This is a good series win for us and just think our bowling attack was too good for them. [preparing for the WC] This is our last series before the World, so we take a lot of confidence from this."
Player of the Series goes to Kusal Mendis for 181 runs across the three games: "The wicket was a little two-paced at the start, some coming quick, some slow. It was quite hard to play in the first couple of overs. Then after the sixth over I was able to manage my game. [losing wickets put pressure?] Not pressure. I think Kamindu and Wanindu batted really well for a couple of overs, I played my own game. I played a couple of overs through singles and boundaries and Mathews and Dasun batted very well at the end. [happy with the series?] The batters and the bowling unit have done really well. Charith batted really well, as well as the fast bowlers and spinners. I'm very happy with the team."
Nuwan Thushara is unsurprisingly the Player of the Match for his figures of 5 for 20, including a hattrick maiden: "I'm happy that I found my rhythm, and that I was able to do well the things that I'm good at and make an impact on the game. I'm really happy, it was the first hattrick in my life. In a match like this, I'm just pleased to be able to help the team."
Najmul Hossain Shanto: "The way started they batted brilliantly, but we came back strongly specially in the last 4-5 overs. Credit goes to Nuwan Thushara the way he bowled, I think he bowled brilliantly. But we have to be careful going forward how we play in the first six overs. [Late recovery?] I think if you look at all three matches, we played some good cricket. Especially the way Rishad, Taskin and Mahedi batted, really happy for them. [positives ahead of the ODIs?] We can take a lot of confidence from this series, but that is a different format and we're looking forward to it."
Time for the post-series presentation
Palinda: "Thusharafor MoM and Kusal Mendis for POTS"
AC: "Shanaka becoming a last over specialist, wonder he can do that against top order batters, excellent thinking behind his bowling at the depth"
Saki: "Why not a 5 match series. This series was so entertaining!!!" --- Good question. Reckon Bangladesh might have preferred the ODIs with the Champions Trophy next year. If they were out of it as well, we very well might have seen more T20s.
6.36pm Fireworks in the background as the players shake ends. So a hard fought series comes to an end with what was a comfortable win for Sri Lanka in the end. There were fireworks galore on the field too courtesy Rishad Hossain during his 30-ball 53, but it was little more than a footnote as the day belonged to Nuwan Thushara. In the side likely only due to Pathirana's injury, but a first over hattrick on his way to a five-for, completely derailed Bangladesh's chase and set Sri Lanka well on the way to victory. Kusal Mendis had earlier led the charge with a 55-ball 86 as Sri Lanka posted a competive 174 for 7. Bangladesh might have fancied chasing those down, but then Thushara happened.
Taskin Ahmed c de Silva b Shanaka 31 (21b 3x4 2x6) SR: 147.61
S Kishore: "Thushara, Theekshana, Madhushanka, Hasaranga, Pathirana. Brilliant to see these young bloods perform for SL cricket. "
30 needed off the last over. Shanaka to bowl it.
Bangladesh captain Shanto meanwhile said his batters weren't used to playing bowlers with a slingy action like Thushara's
Controversy flares between the two sides yet again as Sri Lanka celebrate series win with players pointing to their watches
Despite the big defeat, Rishad Hossain's performance with ball and bat would have made Bangladesh happy
The fast bowler sustained the injury during the second T20I, where he was unable to finish his spell