Sri Lanka did well to avoid the ignominy of a whitewash after registering a comprehensive 97-run victory in the last ODI. Skipper Kusal Perera led from the front with a magnificent century to help his team put 286, the highest score of the series. Dushmantha Chameera did the rest of the work as his 5-16, skittling out the hosts for just 189 in 42.3 overs. Let us look at how Sri Lanka’s cricketers fared in the series:
Dushmantha Chameera 9 (M 3, W 9, Ave 11)
Chameera claimed three wickets in his opening spell, and added two more to complete his maiden five-for in ODI cricket. He has picked up three wickets in the second game. Overall, this was a productive outing for him, who finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series.
Kusal Perera 8 (M3, R 164, Ave 54.67)
Not an ideal start to his captaincy tenure. Sri Lanka suffered their first-ever series defeat to Bangladesh in Kusal Perera’s first assignment as captain. However, a win in the last match has definitely given him something to look forward to, with lots of exciting prospects in the squad. His century in the last match laid a perfect foundation for the tourists, especially after they posted below-par totals in the first two games.
Wanindu Hasaranga 6.5 (M 3, R 98, Ave 32.67, W 3, Ave 42.67)
Hasaranga showed his range, hitting five sixes and three fours during the course of his 60-ball 74 in the first ODI. He also completed his quota of ten overs on each occasion. He also got three wickets.
Lakshan Sandakan 6 (M 2, W 4, Ave 27.25)
Sandakan was expensive in the first two ODIs before he had to make way for Ramesh Mendis. He conceded 54 runs in the second game, but picked up three wickets.
Dhananjaya de Silva 5 (M 3, R 74, Ave 37, W 3, Ave 27.33)
Dhananjaya was unbeaten on 55 in the last game. He picked up three wickets in the first game, but only got to bowl seven overs in the next two games combined.
Danushka Gunathilaka 4.5 (M3, R 84, Ave 28.00)
Gunathilaka has got flair, but he needs some runs now. He got starts in each innings, and looked almost flawless until he gave away his wicket. He made a 33-ball 37 in the last game.
Ramesh Mendis 4 (M 1, W 2, Ave 20)
Ramesh Mendis got two wickets in a solitary game he was offered to play. He picked up crucial wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mosaddek Hossain.
Isuru Udana 3.5 (M 2, W 2, Ave 56.50)
Udana conceded 64 runs in ten overs without any success in the first game. He then returned figures of 9-0-49-2 before sitting out for the final ODI.
Binura Fernando 3 (M 1, W 1, Ave 33.00)
Binura replaced Udana for the final ODI, in which he bowled 6.3 overs and dismissed Mahmudullah.
Pathum Nissanka 2 (M 3, R 28, Ave 9.33)
A horrible series for Nissanka where he squandered all three opportunities to cement his name in the ODI squad.
Kusal Mendis 2 ( M 3, R 61, Ave 20.33)
Kusal Mendis had an underwhelming campaign. He made 24, 15 and 22 across three innings.
Dasun Shanaka 2 (M 2, R 25, Ave 12.50)
Shanaka scored 14 in the first game before being hit through the gate. He made 11 in the second before losing his place in the playing XI.
Niroshan Dickwella 1.5 (M 1, R 7, Ave 7)
Dickwella finally got his chance in the last match where he made 7 runs before getting run out.