Offspinner Mahedi Hasan made a stunning return to international cricket, claiming a career-best 4 for 11 in the third T20I against Sri Lanka and playing a key role in Bangladesh’s historic 2-1 series win. Captain Litton Das later revealed that Mahedi had always been in his plans for the Colombo clash, even before the tour began.
“We felt that Mahedi’s skills would be a perfect fit for the Colombo wicket,” Litton said following the team’s eight-wicket victory at the R Premadasa Stadium. “I had planned it as soon as I saw the schedule that Mahedi Hasan would be the first name in the line-up at this venue.”
The skipper’s strategic thinking proved right. Mahedi struck early in the powerplay, dismissing Kusal Perera in his first over and later sending back Dinesh Chandimal, reducing Sri Lanka to an unstable start. With this spell, Mahedi now has 30 powerplay wickets since January 2021—the highest for any spinner during that period.
While Litton praised Mehidy Hasan Miraz as a quality all-rounder, he was clear about choosing players based on pitch conditions. “If the pitch is bowling-friendly, Mahedi will always get my preference,” he said.
Mahedi’s Comeback After Omission Pays Off
The third T20I was a personal milestone for Mahedi Hasan, who had been left out of the squad in the first two games of the series and missed Bangladesh’s last five T20Is. Despite being Player of the Series during Bangladesh’s 3-0 win in the West Indies last December, his poor showing against UAE and Pakistan in May had sidelined him.
His performance in Colombo not only silenced critics but also underscored his value to the team in spin-friendly conditions. Mahedi’s spell choked Sri Lanka’s momentum and gave Bangladesh a firm grip on the game. The all-rounder’s ability to deliver under pressure made the difference in Bangladesh’s first-ever T20I series win against Sri Lanka.
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Litton Das acknowledged the importance of belief and planning in the team’s success. “I never had a shortage of belief. That’s what helped us bounce back after losing the first match. It’s a proud moment for me as a captain and for Bangladesh cricket,” he said.
Bangladesh had only once before won a three-match T20I series after trailing 1-0. This victory in Sri Lanka will go down as a major achievement, showcasing the team’s growth, especially in overseas conditions.
Bangladesh Reflects on Tour and Areas for Improvement
Despite the T20I success, Litton admitted that Bangladesh’s overall performance in the tour had ups and downs. Batting collapses plagued them in multiple formats, including being bowled out for 94 in the second T20I, 186 in the third ODI, and 167 in the first ODI.
“We didn’t play bad cricket in all the formats. But collapses hurt us. In the second Test, everyone got starts but didn’t convert. We lost momentum quickly,” Litton said. He emphasized the need for greater responsibility among batters, especially in shot selection and mindset.
Litton himself showed signs of resurgence with his 76 off 50 in the second T20I—his highest white-ball score in months. He also contributed 32 in the series-deciding match, guiding Bangladesh out of early trouble.
“I wasn’t scoring for a long time, so the hunger was building. I stayed focused, kept training, and didn’t lose hope. In the second T20I, I grabbed the opportunity,” he said. Litton’s timely return to form gave Bangladesh the confidence they needed to finish the series strong.
He also credited the collective spirit of the team. “Winning changes everything. Everyone was committed. We knew that if we gave our best cricket, we could win,” he added.
As Bangladesh prepares for future international challenges, Mahedi Hasan’s comeback story and Litton Das’s leadership mark a turning point. The team’s ability to adapt to conditions, trust in planning, and respond under pressure shows promising signs for Bangladesh cricket.
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