DHAKA, July 3, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz as expectedly blamed the sensational collapse in the first ODI that saw them lost seven wickets for five runs in 26 balls, for their crushing 77-run defeat to Sri Lanka.

Chasing a modest 245-run target, Bangladesh were well set for a victory with Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto leading them to 100-1 in 17th over.

After the run-out dismissal of Shanto, Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasanranga struck twice in his first over, dismissing Liton Das and Bangladesh's top scorer Tanzid (62) in just three balls. 

Miraz believes, those two back to back wickets eventually led their extraordinary downfall.

"Our middle order batters did not play well. The back-to-back wickets were a problem," Miraz told the broadcaster in post-match presentation after the game yesterday (Wednesday) night.

Miraz made his debut as permanent captain with this match but it's the fourth ODI for him as captain, having led the side in West Indies for a three-match series in absence of Najmul Hossain Shanto. Unfortunately under his captaincy, Bangladesh lost all of those four matches. 

However, Miraz praised his bowlers to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total in an otherwise a pretty flat deck.

Led by Taskin who returned figures of 4-47, Bangladesh bowlers did exceptionally well but captain Charith Asalanka made fighting 106 to guide the side to 244 all out in 49.2 overs.

"The wicket was good, we bowled really well, especially the fast bowlers, they took wickets early," Miraz said, also reminding the effort of Tanzim Hasan Sakib who grabbed 3-46 to complement Taskin.

"We did not get wickets in the middle overs. Credit to Asalanka for the way he played - it was amazing," he added.

"If we got wickets in the middle overs, we would have come back. It is very hot. Two important bowlers got cramps (Mustafizur and Tanvir). We played really well first 80 overs - Shanto and Tanzid played really well at the top but the middle order batting cost us."