Subhechcha Ganguly 
Bangladesh clinched the T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding 8-wicket win in the decider at the R Premadasa Stadium, thanks to a record-breaking performance by spinner Mahedi Hasan. Playing his first match of the entire tour, Mahedi delivered a stunning spell of 4-1-11-4, breaking a 12-year-old record held by India’s Harbhajan Singh for the best bowling figures by a visiting player at the venue.
Opening the bowling, Mahedi made an immediate impact, removing Kusal Perera for a golden duck in just his second over. He went on to dismantle Sri Lanka’s top order, claiming the key wickets of Dinesh Chandimal, captain Charith Asalanka, and a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal of opener Pathum Nissanka, who was well-set on 46. His spell, including two overs in the powerplay, restricted the hosts to a modest 132/7.
Mahedi’s figures surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s 4/12 against England during the 2012 T20 World Cup. While several bowlers—including Josh Hazlewood (4/16) and Mustafizur Rahman (4/21)—have come close to surpassing the Indian spinner’s mark at the Colombo venue, it was Mahedi who finally broke through, setting a new standard for visiting bowlers.
The 2025 T20I series decider saw Mahedi stepping in for Mehidy Hasan Miraz and delivering a match-winning performance in his sole appearance across the multi-format tour. His heroics ensured that Bangladesh comfortably chased down the target, securing both the match and the series.
With this victory, Bangladesh ended the series on a high note, showcasing the depth of their squad and the impact of their bench strength.
