Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera lamented the lack of experience in the side after Sri Lanka lost their first-ever bilateral ODI series to Bangladesh. Mushfiqur Rahim’s hundred helped the hosts seal a historic win in Dhaka.

 New Delhi May 26, 2021UPDATED: May 26, 2021 08:15 IST

Kusal Perera’s captaincy stint in ODIs hasn’t gotten off to a good start (AFP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kusal Perera’s first assignment as ODI captain results in series loss
• Sri Lanka were handed a 103-run defeat in the rain-curtailed 2nd ODI
• Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka in a bilateral ODi series for 1st time

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera has urged the players to back themselves and step up, saying the ODI series loss to Bangladesh on Tuesday was ‘very disappointing’. Sri Lanka lost their first-ever ODI bilateral series against Bangladesh when they went 2-0 down in an ongoing 3-match series at the Shere-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.

Kusal Perera’s captaincy stint has gotten off to a poor start as Sri Lanka have been hammered in their first 2 ODIs in Bangladesh. The left-handed opener was appointed captain before the ongoing tour as Sri Lanka Cricket dropped former captain Dimuth Karunaratne for the 3-match series. Senior players Angelo Mathews and DInesh Chandimal were also dropped from the side.

Perera lamented the lack of experience after the 2nd ODI defeat but urged the players who are on the tour to start backing themselves and take more responsibility.

Sri Lanka were hammered by 103 runs (DLS) method in the rain-marred 2nd ODI on Tuesday. They were restricted to 141/9 in 40 over in chase of 247. Danushka Gunathilaka top-scored with 24 as Sri Lanka’s inexperienced batting unit crumbled under pressure.

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI Highlights

In both the ODIs, Sri Lanka’s batsmen have failed. The likes of captain Perera and vice-captain Kusal Mendis let the team down when the team needed their senior players to show the way forward. In the series opener, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 224 and headed a 33-run defeat.

“It’s very disappointing. In both matches, the middle-order collapsed and lack of experience cost us. We need to have a serious talk. They have to back and believe in their strength and play fearless cricket,” Kusal Perera said.

Bangladesh rode on wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim’s hundred to post a competitive total on a difficult batting wicket. The senior batsman has been in top form in the ongoing series as he was the one who also set up their 1st ODI victory with a solid 83.

“Like every century, this too is a special innings if the team wins,” Rahim said.

“It contributed to our first ODI series win over Sri Lanka, so it will inspire me to do better in the coming days.”

The two team will meet in the final ODI in Dhaka on Friday