Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 2005-06

At R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, September 2, 2005. Sri Lanka won by 75 runs. Toss: Bangladesh.

Tharanga grasped a prime opportunity to stake a claim for a regular opening berth with a fine 105, helping Sri Lanka coast to a series-clinching victory. He was the beneficiary of some sloppy fielding: Manjural Islam Rana at slip grassed a simple chance when he had only 13. But after that he batted impressively, scoring heavily through the leg side and cover-driving majestically. Tharanga celebrated his maiden international century modestly, aware that tougher challenges lay ahead. He was supported by Atapattu, who dropped down the order to allow for some pinchhitting experimentation and made 53 from 43 balls. Bangladesh, needing to break the record for the highest successful run-chase on this ground, showed greater application than in the first match, with Shahriar Nafees resisting for 83 balls. But they were always behind the rate, and when they did try to accelerate, wickets tumbled to Dilshan's part-time off-breaks.

Man of the Match: W. U. Tharanga.