Related Links : Bangladesh in Sri Lanka 2007 : Scorecard
Sri Lanka had little trouble in enforcing a 3-0 whitewash over Bangladesh in the 3rd and final ODI at RPS. In a rain curtailed game, Bangladesh failed to chase a moderate yet challenging target of 197 in 40 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya failed with the bat but like always came back good in the match with the ball triggering a Bangladeshi collapse.
The match just couldn’t get started because of late night and early morning showers that drenched the ground. But thanks to sunlight and good draining techniques, the match could get underway in the noon with just twenty overs lost. Sri Lanka brought in Chamara Kapugedara, veteran Upul Chandana and Nuwan Kulasekara in the side. Bangladesh won the toss this time and put Sri Lanka to bat first on a pitch that lacked the pace but had a bit of assistance for the seamers. Shahadat Hossain gave an aggressive start by forcing Sanath Jayasuriya nicking one behind which gave the fillip to the Tigers. Sri Lanka soon found themselves in deep trouble at 61 for 4 when Kumar Sangakkara (18) lost his patience and concentration to be dismissed playing a rank bad shot. Before his dismissal, Sangakkara was involved in a controversy with Bangladeshi Skipper Ashraful. It all happened when Chamara Kapugedara was dropped in the slips, that got Sangakkara to walk towards his partner to have a word. Meanwhile Ashraful charged towards the non striker’s end shouting for the ball to affect a run out with the ball still in play according to him. Common sense prevailed as the Umpires diffused the situation and decided not to go against the spirit of the game as they calmed both the players from continuing their heated argument.
Sri Lanka fought back having lost so many early wickets. They were also helped by a number of catches and run out opportunities messed up by the slippery Bangladeshi fielding. The tall left handed Mubarak was the man steering Sri Lanka out of deep waters to take them to 196. Mubarak made 77 from 82 with six fours. Sri Lanka got bowled out in 39.5 overs with Abdur Razzak taking 3 for 47 in 7.5 overs. The other significant contributors for the homeside were Dilshan with 39 from 34 and Mahela Jayawardene coming in at no.7 to score a cameo of 20 from 16.
An opportunity of getting the one solitary win on this tour was spoilt by Javed Omar and Mushfiqur Rahim. Both batsmen fell early to Maharoof to have Bangladesh at 11 for 2. Skipper Ashraful (20) for sometime looked to get things under control but his downfall to the skiddy Kulasekara was the start of a big batting collapse. From 53 for 3, Bangladesh got down to 69 for 5 to bat themselves out of the contest. Amidst all this, young opener Tamim Iqbal was still there fighting a lone battle. He finally found support in the form of debutant Mahmudullah to bring back some hopes for Bangladesh. Sanath Jayasuriya broke this partnership as Tamim fell for 54 from 73 with three fours and a pick up shot for a six. Jayasuriya then picked up three more wickets to wrap up the tail. Bangladesh were bowled out for 157 in 37.1 overs. Mahmudullah did well getting 36 in his first innings at this level. Jayasuriya ended up with brilliant figures of 4 for 14 in just 4 overs which helped him get the Player of the Series award. Jehan Mubarak was the Man of the Match for his important half century.