Cricket

Australia's dominance over Bangladesh continued in the third and final ODI in Dhaka, as they secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory to complete a clean sweep of the series.Opting to bowl first, Australia's opening bowlers Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's top order. Garth dismissed Fargana Hoque and Sumaiya Akter for ducks, while Perry removed Murshida Khatun for 8. Bangladesh's innings never gained momentum, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.Captain Nigar Sultana top-scored for Bangladesh with a gritty 16 off 39 deliveries, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide any substantial support. Garth finished with impressive figures of 3 for 11, while Ash Gardner (3 for 25), Perry (2 for 17), and Sophie Molineux (2 for 23) shared the remaining wickets.Australia's chase was a formality, as Alyssa Healy (33), Perry (27*), and Beth Mooney (21*) guided them to victory in just 18.3 overs. Healy fell leg before to Rabeya Khatun, while Phoebe Litchfield was caught and bowled by Sultana Khatun for 12.Gardner's outstanding performance throughout the series earned her the Player-of-the-Series award. She claimed 3 for 22 and scored 32 in the first ODI, and in the second, she took 2 for 22 and made an unbeaten 20.Australia's victory extends their unbeaten streak against Bangladesh in ODIs to 10 matches. The two teams will now face off in a three-match T20I series, starting on March 31 in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's Khaled Ahmed's botched attempt to run out Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis at the non-striker's end has become a viral sensation on social media. The incident occurred on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test between the two teams in Sylhet on Sunday.In the 63rd over of Sri Lanka's innings, Ahmed attempted to catch Mendis off guard by attempting a run out at the non-striker's end. However, his throw missed the stumps by a whisker, leaving Mendis unscathed.The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, with many fans expressing amusement and disbelief at Ahmed's failed attempt.On Day 3, Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva became the third pair in Test history to score a century in both innings, as Sri Lanka set up a daunting 511-run target for Bangladesh.The visitors were all out for 418 in their second innings at Sylhet, with Mendis making 164 runs to go with his 102 in the first innings and De Silva, who also scored 102 runs in the first innings, adding 108.The Chappell brothers, Greg and Ian, of Australia achieved the feat against New Zealand in March 1974, before Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali emulated it against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.The pair, who shared 202 runs in Sri Lanka's first innings total of 280 runs, put on 173 runs together this time -- on their way to becoming the third and fourth Sri Lankans to score centuries in both innings against Bangladesh.Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke their partnership, before finishing with 4-74 for Bangladesh.Resuming on 119-5, the visitors lost nightwatchman Vishwa Fernando (four) early to Khaled Ahmed, before de Silva and Mendis took control.De Silva brought his century into the game with a single off Mehidy, before he gave Bangladesh their first chance as Nahid Rana dropped him off Shoriful Islam on 101.Mehidy ensured the drop did not hurt the team more, soon ending de Silva's innings, with Zakir Hasan taking the catch at short midwicket.Mendis put away a full toss of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to bring his own hundred off 171 balls just before the tea, when Prabath Jayasuriya was batting with him for 13.Mehidy removed Prabath Jayasuriya, who made 25, and Lahiru Kumara off successive deliveries to give Bangladesh some relief.Mehidy could have grabbed his fifth wicket if Liton Das did not drop Mendis on 133.Mendis protected last man Kasun Rajitha to add 52 runs in the final wicket pair, piling misery on Bangladesh.Mendis hit Taijul Islam for three sixes in an over to reach his 150 and help the lead exceed 500 runs. Taijul dismissed Mendis finally to wrap-up Sri Lanka's innings.Sri Lanka have never lost a Test series to Bangladesh.The second and final match of the series will be played in Chittagong from March 30.

Sri Lanka's emphatic 328-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has propelled them up the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. This triumph marks their eighth away Test win over Bangladesh, maintaining their undefeated record in the format against the hosts.Prior to this match, Sri Lanka languished at the bottom of the WTC standings with zero points, while Bangladesh occupied the fourth spot with 12 points and a points percentage of 50. However, Sri Lanka's resounding victory has earned them 12 points in three games, boosting their points percentage to 33.33. This surge has lifted them above South Africa (25%) and England (17.50%), tying them with Bangladesh in sixth place.The first Test result has triggered a reshuffle in the WTC table. The West Indies have ascended to fifth place with the same points percentage as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but a superior points tally (16). Pakistan, with a points percentage of 36.66, has moved up to fourth place with 22 points.On Day 4 of the match, Mominul Haque displayed remarkable resilience against Sri Lanka's formidable bowling attack. His steadfast batting kept the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay and helped Bangladesh navigate the first session. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end, limiting Bangladesh to a score of 182 and sealing a 328-run defeat in the first Test.Sri Lanka's victory has not only bolstered their WTC standing but also instilled confidence within the team. They will be eager to maintain their momentum in the second and final Test of the series, which commences on May 23rd at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's hopes of salvaging a draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka dwindled on day three in Sylhet as they collapsed to 43 for 5, needing an improbable 464 runs to win.Sri Lanka's lower middle order had earlier extended their dominance, with Kamindu Mendis scoring 164 and Dhananjaya de Silva completing his second century of the match. Their 173-run partnership transformed Sri Lanka's position from a comfortable lead to an utterly dominant one.Bangladesh's quicks struggled to make an impact on a pitch that still rewarded high-quality seam bowling. Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha shared the wickets, but it was Vishwa who impressed with his movement through the air and late swing.Bangladesh's batting implosion began with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's reckless dismissal, throwing his bat at a wide delivery. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shahadat Hossain also fell cheaply to Vishwa's accurate bowling.Litton Das's dismissal was the most frustrating for Bangladesh. After keeping wicket all day, he ran down the track and hoicked a delivery from Kumara straight to cover.Sri Lanka's quicks maintained their discipline, bowling testing lines and exploiting the pitch's bounce and pace. Bangladesh's spinners were unable to find purchase off the wicket, and the hosts' batting lineup crumbled under the pressure.With just five wickets remaining and two scheduled days of play left, Sri Lanka are on the brink of a comprehensive victory. Rain is forecast for Monday afternoon, but the weather in Sylhet is otherwise conducive for cricket.

Australia's all-rounder Sophie Molineux made a triumphant return to ODI cricket, leading her team to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second match of the three-game series. Molineux, who had been sidelined for over a year due to injuries, claimed impressive figures of 3 for 10 from 10 overs, helping to restrict Bangladesh to a meager total of 97.Bangladesh's innings was characterized by a lack of resistance, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Molineux played a pivotal role in their downfall, claiming the wickets of opener Shamima Sultana, captain Nigar Sultana, and all-rounder Fahima Khatun. The Australian bowlers, including Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Alana King, collectively overwhelmed the Bangladesh batters, with only No. 9 Nahida Akter managing to reach double figures.In response, Australia's batters chased down the target with relative ease, despite losing three early wickets. Ellyse Perry top-scored with an unbeaten 35 from 50 balls, anchoring the innings and guiding her team to victory. Phoebe Litchfield and Tahlia McGrath both fell cheaply, but Perry combined with Gardner to steer Australia to a comfortable win.Molineux's performance was particularly impressive, as she demonstrated her versatility and ability to contribute in both bowling and batting. Her return to the Australian set-up is a significant boost for the team, as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.Australia's victory gives them a 2-0 lead in the series, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Wednesday. The series will be followed by three T20Is, providing both teams with valuable preparation for the global tournament.

Sri Lanka's Test newcomers Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva defied Bangladesh's fast bowlers to forge a remarkable 200-run partnership, rescuing their team from a precarious position.After losing five wickets for just 57 runs, Sri Lanka's hopes seemed bleak. However, Mendis and de Silva stepped up to the plate, becoming only the second Sri Lanka pair to add a 200-run stand after losing five wickets for less than 60.Mendis, playing in just his second Test, showed maturity beyond his years. Despite being dropped on the first ball of his innings, he counter-attacked with a flurry of drives and sixes. De Silva, on the other hand, played a more measured innings, using the fast bowlers' pace and bounce to his advantage.Together, they weathered the storm and gradually rebuilt Sri Lanka's innings. Mendis reached his maiden Test century first, while de Silva followed suit in the same over. Their partnership not only stabilized Sri Lanka's position but also put Bangladesh's bowlers under immense pressure.Mendis's aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking over, while de Silva's experience and composure provided the necessary stability. They both played with a positive mindset, taking advantage of any loose deliveries.Mendis's performance was particularly impressive, as he replaced Sadeera Samarawickrama in the Sri Lanka XI and may have earned a permanent spot in the team. His ability to handle pressure and score quickly under difficult circumstances has caught the attention of the selectors.The 200-run partnership between Mendis and de Silva was a testament to their skill, determination, and resilience. It not only saved Sri Lanka from a potential collapse but also gave them a solid foundation to build on in the second innings.

Bangladesh's decision to bowl first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Sylhet was influenced by the moisture in the wicket from earlier rain, which captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believed would assist seam and swing bowling. The inclusion of express pacer Nahid Rana, making his international debut, added to Bangladesh's hopes of early breakthroughs.Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva also expressed a preference for bowling first, having included three seamers in their lineup. However, they opted for just one frontline spinner in Prabath Jayasuriya, with Dhananjaya providing an off-break option and ambidextrous all-rounder Kamindu Mendis offering part-time spin.The conditions in Sylhet were initially wet but improved with sunshine breaking through. The pitch had some grass, promising movement for the seamers early on, but it was expected to become more favorable for batting as the game progressed. Cracks in the surface suggested that spinners could play a role later in the Test.Bangladesh's XI featured Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Shahadat Hossain, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Shoriful Islam.Sri Lanka's XI included Nishan Madushka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Kumara.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Clash in Test Series OpenerBangladesh and Sri Lanka will face off in the first match of a two-match Test series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to field first.Sri Lanka's opening pair of Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka faced the new ball from Shoriful Islam and Khaled Ahmed. Madushka was dismissed early, caught by Mehidy Hasan at third slip off Ahmed's bowling.Kusal Mendis joined Karunaratne at the crease, and the pair steadied the innings with a cautious approach. Ahmed and Shoriful continued to bowl tightly, but the Sri Lankan batsmen managed to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking over.Bangladesh will be without their experienced batter, Mushfiqur Rahim, who sustained a thumb injury. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will miss the services of pacer Asitha Fernando due to a hamstring injury.Both teams enter the series with recent victories under their belts. Bangladesh has won three of their last five games, while Sri Lanka has also recorded three wins in their past five matches.The hosts will be confident of a positive result after defeating New Zealand in their previous Test clash. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be looking to carry their momentum from their ODI series win into the longer format.Sri Lanka will be keen to bounce back from their ODI setback and make Bangladesh work hard for victory. The visitors will rely on the experience of Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews, while Bangladesh will look to their young bowlers to make an impact.The pitch at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is expected to offer some assistance to the bowlers, particularly early on. However, it could become more difficult to bat as the game progresses.

Sri Lanka's opening batsmen, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, got off to a solid start in the first ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Wednesday. Nissanka struck a six over mid-wicket off Taijul Islam, while Fernando hit a boundary through covers off Tanzim Hasan Sakib.However, Sakib provided the breakthrough for Bangladesh, dismissing Fernando for 24. The left-arm spinner bowled a full and wide delivery outside off, which Fernando edged to the keeper.Nissanka continued to play aggressively, hitting another boundary off Sakib and a four off Shoriful Islam. He was eventually dismissed for 35, caught behind off Taijul Islam.Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan captain, came to the crease and played a patient innings, scoring 25 off 40 balls. He was supported by Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 22 off 33 balls.Bangladesh's bowlers kept the Sri Lankan batsmen in check, with Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam taking two wickets each. Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also bowled economically.At the end of 20 overs, Sri Lanka were 105/3, with Mendis and Samarawickrama at the crease.