Tanvir Islam delivered a career-defining performance as Bangladesh levelled the ODI series against Sri Lanka with a spirited 16-run victory in Colombo on Friday. The left-arm spinner claimed 5 for 39 in just his second ODI, a spell that not only derailed the Sri Lankan chase but also ended Bangladesh’s eight-match losing streak in the format, stretching back eight months.
His efforts helped Bangladesh defend a modest total of 248, despite some familiar frailties with the bat and in the field. Bangladesh once again failed to bat through the innings and dropped four catches during Sri Lanka’s reply, but it was Tanvir’s intervention in the middle overs that proved the turning point.
The 28-year-old, who only made his international debut earlier this year, was expensive early on. Kusal Mendis took him for two boundaries and a six in a 17-run over that threatened to unravel Bangladesh’s defence. But it was captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s calming words that turned the tide.
“When I conceded 22 runs in the first two overs, the captain stood next to me and said something,” Tanvir revealed after the match. “He told me a bowler is bound to get hit and that I shouldn’t bowl defensively. He said to bowl for wickets. Thankfully, I listened.”
Taking inspiration from his skipper, Tanvir adjusted his line, targeting the stumps and tightening his lengths. His breakthrough came when he dismissed Nishan Madushka, caught at point attempting a booming drive. In his next over, he trapped Kusal Mendis lbw—a decision awarded via DRS—halting Sri Lanka’s momentum for the next 30 overs.
Tanvir’s journey to this moment has been anything but typical. Having never featured in age-level cricket, he made his name in the domestic Dhaka league before finally receiving an international call-up at 28—an age considered late by Bangladesh standards.
“I never thought age was a factor,” Tanvir said. “I’ve always believed performance matters most. I started in the Dhaka League and kept working hard. Finally, Allah has smiled on me. Now I have a five-wicket haul at the international level.”
The road hasn’t been smooth. During the T20I series against the UAE in May, he experimented with a new bowling action which proved ineffective. Dropped after two expensive outings, Tanvir returned to his original action following advice from teammate Towhid Hridoy.
“I had been using that action since 2013. Hridoy told me to go back to it—he said it made me who I am,” Tanvir said.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz was full of praise for Tanvir and other contributors to the victory. “Every time the momentum shifted, it was a turning point for us,” he said. “Tanvir made regular breakthroughs and bowled really well. Shamim Hossain was brilliant with the bat and ball in his return. Emon gave us a flying start, and I must mention Tanzim Hasan’s cameo at the end—it made a big difference.”
Mehidy, however, remained critical of the team’s overall performance, pointing to repeated batting collapses and costly lapses in the field.
“We haven’t managed to bat the full fifty overs in either match. The run-outs hurt us, and the four dropped catches could have cost us dearly,” he said. “There’s room for improvement before the third ODI. We’re heading in the right direction, but we must do better.”
With the series now level at 1-1, the decider promises to be a fiercely contested affair. For Tanvir, though, this match will be remembered as the night he arrived on the international stage—not with fireworks, but with quiet resilience and a five-wicket statement.