Bangladesh clinched a convincing six-wicket win, courtesy of an unbeaten century by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the first one-day international (ODI) of a three-game series against Sri Lanka in Chittagong on Wednesday (14).

Najmul’s remarkable innings of 122 not out from 129 deliveries, along with Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 73, drove Bangladesh to a total of 257-4 in 44.4 overs after dismissing Sri Lanka for 255 runs.

Despite facing early batting difficulties, Bangladesh was in a tough spot at 23-3 following early dismissals by Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan.

Nevertheless, Najmul’s partnership with Mahmudullah Riyad (37) stabilized the innings before Mushfiqur joined him for a crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 165 runs.

Earlier Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to bat first. The team got off to a strong start as Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka built a solid foundation with a 71-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Pathum Nissanka, who returned from a hamstring injury, continued his impressive performance by scoring a quick 36 runs off 28 balls, which included 5 boundaries and a six. Avishka Fernando also contributed with 33 runs off 33 balls to stabilize the Sri Lankan innings.

Nevertheless, Tanzim Shakib’s comeback to the attack was crucial for Bangladesh as he took out both openers in consecutive overs, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 2-72.

Sri Lanka faced further setbacks when Sadeera Samarawickrama (3) fell to Tanzim Shakib’s bowling, reducing them to 84-3.

With Bangaldesh bolwers clearly on top, Skipper Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka then built a steady partnership of 44 runs before Charith was bowled by Mahedi Hassan Miraz in the 25th over.

At 128-4, Kusal Mendis found a reliable partner in Janith Liyanage, and together they cautiously built a crucial partnership of 69 runs for the fifth wicket.

During this partnership, Kusal Mendis reached his 29th ODI half-century, scoring 59 runs off 75 balls, including 5 boundaries and a six. However, Taskin Ahmed put an end to the partnership by dismissing Kusal Mendis.

From there onwards Sri Lanka never recovered as their middle order fell like a pack of cards with the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga (13), Maheesh Theekshana (1), Pramod Madushan (08) all departing cheaply to leave Sri Lanka in a spot of bother.

However, When the chips were down, Janith Liyanage who is playing his 5th ODI game show maturity in the middle and played a crucial role for Sri Lanka as he batted sensibly and scored a fighting 67 runs off 69 deliveries, including 3 boundaries and 2 sixes. 

His contribution helped Sri Lanka surpass the 250 runs mark. 

At one stage it looked like Sri Lanka could reach a total above 300 but a brilliant death bowling display denied Sri Lanka’s counter attack.

Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Shakib, were the standout bowlers snaring three wickets apiece, while Mehidy Hassan Miraz picked up a wicket.

The win saw Bangladesh go up 1-0 in the three match series with two games to spare.

The two sides will next meet in the second ODI game on Friday at the same venue.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 257 for 4 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 122, Mushfiqur Rahim 73, Dilshan Madushanka 2-44)

Sri Lanka 255 all out (Janith Liyanage 67, Kusal Mendis 59, Tanzim Shakib 3-44, Shoriful Islam 3-51, Taskin Ahmed 3-60)