Sri Lanka were bowled out for 244 in 49.1 overs in the first ODI against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 2 July, with captain Charith Asalanka anchoring the innings with a composed century.
The visitors, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, showed promise with the ball in their first outing of a new era, but late injuries and dropped chances allowed the hosts to recover from early setbacks.
This match marked a major turning point in Bangladesh’s ODI history. For the first time in 20 years and 331 matches, the Tigers played without any of their famed ‘Panchapandabs’—Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, or Mahmudullah Riyad. The last time all five were absent from the XI was on 4 September 2005, also at this very Colombo venue.
Under the leadership of Mehidy, the team is now in transition, with a focus on the 2027 World Cup. Two new players—left-handed batter Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam—were handed their ODI debuts. Emon has already shown promise in T20Is, scoring a hundred and a fifty in 12 matches, while Tanvir came in with six T20Is under his belt.
Sri Lanka captain Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat on a dry Colombo surface. The start, however, was anything but smooth for the hosts. Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib struck early, removing both openers—Pathum Nissanka and Nishan Madushka—before debutant Tanvir Islam picked up Kamindu Mendis, reducing Sri Lanka to 29 for 3 inside seven overs.
Asalanka then took control. He first partnered with Kusal Mendis for a 60-run stand, followed by 64 with Janith Liyanage. While wickets kept falling at the other end, Asalanka’s grip on the innings only tightened. He went on to score 106 off 117 balls, including six fours and four sixes—his fifth ODI hundred, and his fourth at this venue.
Despite his effort, Bangladesh’s bowlers continued to strike regularly. Tanzim dismissed Milan Ratnayake and later returned to remove Asalanka in the final over. Taskin, the pick of the bowlers, took 4 for 49, while Tanzim bagged 3 for 54. Tanvir and Najmul Hossain Shanto picked up one wicket apiece.
Bangladesh suffered a couple of injury concerns during the innings. Mustafizur Rahman walked off after bowling six overs due to pain, while Tanvir Islam completed his spell while visibly struggling with a leg issue. Yet, the bowlers ensured Sri Lanka failed to score a single boundary in the last 34 balls of the innings.