Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Sri Lanka draw level

Mehedi and Taskin soon fell to Kulasekara as Bangladesh were bowled out for 210. Kulasekara took a four-fer for the home side. It was a fine all-round show from Sri Lanka as they impressed in all three departments of the game. Thisara landed the mighty blows, while the bowlers shared the spoils. The ground fielding too was top-notch.

The hosts will be relieved to have won a game after losing a slew of ODIs in a row.

One wicket away...

Now comes the jinx part. In the very next over, Kulasekara dismissed Mehedi. The hosts just one scalp away from levelling the series.

Final twist in tale?

Mehedi has showed a lot of composure in his fledgling career. He yet again gave a glimpse of his skills and temperament with a measured fifty in the final ODI against Sri Lanka. 75 needed off 40 balls. Is there another twist in the tale. With just two wickets in hand, Sri Lanka are still heavy favourites, but as the cliche goes, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.

Sri Lanka on course...

Mehedi Hasan has tried to hold Bangladesh's innings together. However, with wickets falling at the other end, Sri Lanka look set to wrap up the match.

Dilruwan picks up prized scalp

The offspinner invited Shakib to drive on the up and he obliged by cracking it to Gunathilaka at cover who pouched a catch at chest height. Huge blow for the visitors. On the other hand, Sri Lanka's fielding has been exemplary. Lakmal then dismissed Mahmudullah with a bumper to give the home side a vice-like grip on proceedings.

Shakib keeps Bangladesh in the hunt

For Bangladesh to chase down the target and create history, they need Shakib Al Hasan to notch up a big one. The all-rounder blended aggression with authoritative defence to accumulate his 34th ODI fifty. However, the experienced all-rounder seems to be struggling with a sore back and that isn't great news for the visitors. It is a power game nowadays and it would be difficult for Shakib to play big shots with a back problem.

Artful piece of bowling

Dilruwan was rewarded for a superb piece of bowling with the scalp of Sarkar. From round the wicket, he drifted one to drag Sarkar out of the crease and it whizzed past the outside edge. The momentum took him further forward and Chandimal, the keeper, did the rest by taking the bails off. The third umpire was called in to check for a front foot no-ball but Dilruwan was fine. Hence, Sarkar had to trudge back to the hut.

Counterattack

Shakib Al Hasan and Sarkar counterattacked with a flurry of shots. If Shakib laid into Kulasekara and collected two fours in the ninth over, then Sarkar tonked Dilruwan for a six in the next over. The duo has transferred the pressure back onto Sri Lanka.

Lakmal joins in the fun

The Sri Lankans are smiling again as Lakmal prises out Rahim LBW. It was a nip-backer that rapped Rahim on the pads. The on-field umpire answered the LBW appeal in the affirmative.

However, Rahim took the review. The ball-tracker suggested it would be an umpire's call and the Bangladesh captain had to trudge back to the pavilion.

Old Warhorse pegs visitors back

Nuwan Kulasekara has been around for long. The wily pacer has hunted down many a batsman with his swing and control. The 34-year-old again rose to the occasion by dismissing Tamim and Sabbir.

He lured Tamim to flick but could only eke out a leading edge. Kulasekara took the return catch. However, in the motion of throwing it up in the air to celebrate the wicket, the ball popped out. Hence, the TV umpire was called in. On replays, it was clear that he was in control of the catch when he took it. The decision was upheld.

Sabbir then played a poor shot by throwing the kitchen sink at a shortish ball with his feet rooted to the crease. Chandimal grabbed the catch. Sri Lankan fielders had a few words to say to the aggressive middle-order batsman as he made his way back to the hut.

Perera's quickfire fifty powers Sri Lanka

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Thisara Perera gave a fine exhibition of power-hitting to pilot the home side to 280 for 9. At 230 for 7, the hosts were in a spot of bother. However, Perera's pyrotechnics put paid to Bangladesh's hopes of making a comeback. The track is good for batting and one can expect Bangladesh to mount a serious challenge as they look to clinch the three-match series.

Thisara ups the ante

Despite losing Gunaratne and Prasanna at the other end, Thisara Perera landed the big blows to prop up Sri Lanka's innings. The way he thwacked Mustafizur in the 45th over for a couple of boundaries encapsulated his brute power. Dilruwan Perera joined in the fun by thumping Mortaza for a four over mid-off in the 46th over.

Mendis falls

Another one falls and it is Mendis who walks back to the pavilion. The set batsman edged a cutter from Mustafizur to the 'keeper who gleefully accepted the chance. The home side need Thisara Perera to land the big blows.

Run-outs hurt Sri Lanka

Another run-out and this time, Siriwadrana is the man dismissed. He had dabbed it to point off Mehedi but Mendis wasn't sure about pinching a single. There was confusion in the middle. Eventually, Siriwadrana attempted to get back to the striker's end but to no avail. Rahim showed sharp reflexes as he pouched the throw in front of the stumps and whipped the bails in just one motion. He also took his hands off quickly to create time with momentum. Meanwhile, Mendis scored a measured fifty.