Lahiru Kumara spearheaded Sri Lanka's emphatic victory, clinching a remarkable 4-50 to propel his team to a resounding 192-run win over Bangladesh in the second Test in Chittagong on Wednesday.
With this triumph, Sri Lanka completed a comprehensive 2-0 series sweep on Wednesday in Chittagong.
With the Bangladeshi side facing a daunting chase of 511 runs in their second innings, the Sri Lankan pace maestro left no room for respite, swiftly wrapping up the hosts' resistance by dismissing Khaled Ahmed, the last man standing, before the lunch break on the fifth day.
Bangladesh, grappling with the enormity of the target, faltered significantly, managing a mere 50 runs in addition to their overnight score of 268-7.
Amidst the wreckage, Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the lone warrior, crafting an unbeaten 81, his sixth Test half-century, albeit in a losing cause.
Despite the inevitability of Sri Lanka's triumph, Mehidy's spirited innings injected moments of resilience, as he showcased aggressive strokeplay to reach his fifty off just 68 balls. However, his valiant effort was not enough to salvage Bangladesh from the jaws of defeat.
Kamindu Mendis, the versatile all-rounder, played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, securing figures of 3-32 with his off-spin to complement his stellar performance of an unbeaten 92 in the first inning, earning him the well-deserved man of the match accolade.
Reflecting on his team's commanding display, Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva praised his players' execution of the basics, attributing their success to disciplined bowling and resilient batting.
The Sri Lankan pacers, in particular, showcased their prowess by accounting for 33 of the 40 Bangladesh wickets, a remarkable feat on the traditionally spin-friendly pitches of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, acknowledged his team's batting shortcomings, emphasising the need for introspection and a stronger display in future engagements.
As Sri Lanka savoured their comprehensive victory, attention now turns to Bangladesh's upcoming series against Zimbabwe, a crucial opportunity for redemption ahead of the looming T20 World Cup in June.
