Concussion sub Tanzid guides Bangladesh to series-clinching win over Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI

CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Concussion substitute Tanzid Hasan hammered 84 off 81 balls to help Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by four wickets and win their one-day international series 2-1 on Monday.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 235 all out in exactly 50 overs courtesy of Janith Liyanage's 101 off 102 balls for his maiden century.

Soumya Sarkar hit the ground while saving a boundary and felt neck stiffness, a headache and vision difficulties. He was substituted by Tanzid and the replacement proved his worth with a second half-century laced with nine fours and four sixes to see Bangladesh home with 9.4 overs left.

After Tanzid's fluent start, Rishad Hossain — one of the three changes made by Bangladesh for the match — struck an unbeaten 18-ball 48 containing five fours and four sixes to steer the hosts to 237-6.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised Tanzid but expected him to last longer. He was out at 130-5.

“He batted well ... but I wasn't happy at the way he got out,” Shanto said. “A set batter should be able to finish a chase.

“Mushfiqur also batted well, it helped Rishad’s innings. On a wicket like this the bowlers showed a lot of character, especially with the new ball our three fast bowlers bowled really well. In the middle overs, Miraz and Rishad bowled really well. I am very happy with the bowlers. This win was very important for us.”

Bangladesh won a second straight ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Tanzid and Anamul Haque, who replaced the out-of-form Liton Das, added 50 runs for the opening stand, with Tanzid dominating the partnership.

Pacer Lahiru Kumara, who grabbed a career-best 4-48, removed Haque (12) and Shanto (1) in consecutive overs to put Sri Lanka on the front foot to protect an under-par score.

Kumara also broke the 49-run partnership between Tanzid and Towhid Hridoy when he undid the latter with extra bounce on 22, and removed Mahmudullah (1) with a back-of-the-length delivery in his next over to leave Bangladesh at 113-4 in the 24th over.

When leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga had Tanzid caught by Charith Asalanka at long-on after building pressure on him with a series of dot balls, Sri Lanka got a ray of hope with Bangladesh at 130-5.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan put on 48 runs before Hasaranga (2-64) again struck with the wicket of Mehidy (25), but Rishad’s brutal attack hastened Bangladesh to victory.

After Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss, Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed (3-42) dealt a double blow, removing the openers.

Pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who replaced injured Tanzim Hasan, took 2-39 and ripped through the middle order before Liyanage resisted.

Rishad further pegged back Sri Lanka with his leg-spin when he turned one sharply to get rid of Mendis after he made 29 off 51.

Bangladesh kept taking wickets at regular intervals but Liyanage kept the scoreboard going, finding boundaries with ease.

Liyanage raised his century in the last over with an elegant drive through extra cover for a boundary off Taskin.

“We were 40-50 runs short," Mendis said. "The bowling unit bowled pretty well and the fielders had a very good game. Janith batted really well after we lost a couple of wickets in the middle order. Lahiru Kumara bowled really well in the first 10 overs then in the end also. He is coming in form."

The first of two tests starts on Friday in Sylhet.

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