Kusal Mendis answered his critics in style with a sublime century as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 285 for seven in their allotted 50 overs in the third and final ODI against Bangladesh on Tuesday at Pallekele.

With the three-match series deadlocked at 1-1, the hosts needed their top order to come good after a stuttering display in Colombo. Mendis, who had faced the heat after a reckless dismissal in the previous game, rose to the occasion with a polished 124 off 114 balls.

The wicketkeeper-batter, under fire from both media and his own camp, including batting coach Thilina Kandamby, who publicly questioned the value of flashy fifties — dug deep to register his sixth ODI hundred and anchor the innings.

Coming to bat in the fourth over of the innings, Mendis played with a mix of caution and controlled aggression. He shared a crucial 124-run stand with skipper Charith Asalanka (58) for the fourth wicket, steadying the ship and setting the stage for a late flourish.

Having thrown away his wicket in Colombo after a whirlwind 20-ball fifty, Mendis showed far more application at Pallekele. His innings, laced with 18 boundaries, was a blend of crisp strokeplay and street-smart batting.

Importantly, Sri Lanka rectified their spin woes from the last outing. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, who had bamboozled the batters with a five-for in the second ODI, was tackled with positive intent. The hosts employed the sweep to good effect, used their feet wisely and played with soft hands to negate the turn. Tanvir finished with unflattering figures of one for 61 off his ten overs.

Mendis eventually perished in the 46th over, top-edging a pull off part-time spinner Shamim Hossain, who ran back to complete a sharp catch off his own bowling.

By Rex Clementine

Kusal Mendis crashed 124 off 114 balls to continue his excellent form, and Charith Asalanka struck 58 as he joined Kusal for a dynamic fourth-wicket stand worth 124 off 117 balls.

Either side of that partnership, however, Bangladesh had strong showings. They had Sri Lanka 100 for 3 in the 21st over and conceded only 63 runs in the last ten overs. Though Sri Lanka’s 285 for 7 is a substantial total, they had been well-placed to push for a 300-plus score, given they’d been 222 for 3 after 40 overs, with two set batters at the crease.

But Bangladesh kept striking, varying speeds intelligently, as Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz  picked two wickets, while Shamim Hossain took one at the death. Sri Lanka managed only five boundaries through the last ten overs.

Mehidy returned the best overall figures of 2 for 48, having dismissed Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage. Shamim got the prize wicket of Kusal in the 46th over. Had he survived till the end, Sri Lanka may have added at least 20 to their total.

The highlight of Kusal’s innings was his severity on length. Anything short was punished, and though the seam bowlers tried repeatedly, they could not get their bouncers high enough to really test him. He used his short-arm-jab pull to devastating effect, hitting both spinners and quicks through square leg with spectacular timing. Seven of his 18 fours came behind square on the leg side. And all up, 82 of his runs (66%) came on the legside. Sweeps of various descriptions – the hard flat one, the paddle, and the slog sweep – were also productive shots for him.

There was never a time in the innings when he seemed to be in discomfort. He eased through the powerplay, hitting 25 off 26 in that period, and though there was a little slowing down as he approached fifty, the same cannot be said of his getting to triple figures. It took him six balls to scamper through the nineties. He got there off the 95th ball he faced.

Asalanka was not in such good touch in comparison, but nevertheless found ways to make runs. He manufactured sweeps against the spinners at times and used his feet to find lengths that he could score off. He too was stronger on the legside, finding six of his nine boundaries in that direction.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 285 for 7 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 35, Kusal Mendis 124, Charith Asalanka 58, Wanidu Hasaranga18*; Mehidy Hasan Miraz  2-48, Taskin Ahmed 2-51) vs Bangladesh

[Cricinfo]