Bangladesh captain rues lack of big partnerships after ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka

    Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz has rued his team's lack of big partnerships after falling to a 99-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the final ODI in Pallekele and consequently losing the series 2-1.

    Bangladesh ODI partnership Bangladesh ODI partnership

    Chasing a target of 286, the Tigers were bundled out for just 186 in 39.4 overs with Towhid Hridoy top-scoring with 51 but no other batters could capitalise on decent starts.

    Sri Lanka banked on a 124-run fourth-wicket stand between Kusal Mendis and captain Charith Asalanka after they were in a spot of bother, Bangladesh failed to stitch a similar partnership together.

    Sri Lanka banked on a 124-run fourth-wicket stand between Kusal Mendis (124) and captain Charith Asalanka (58) after they were in a spot of bother themselves, Bangladesh failed to stitch a similar stand.

    "When Hridoy and Jaker [Ali] were batting together, I still believed we could win the game," Mehidy said. "We just couldn't put together partnerships like Sri Lanka.

    "They had a big partnership after they lost three wickets for 100 runs. Partnerships in the middle overs are crucial. We got a couple of 40s, but winning is hard without these partnerships in ODI cricket.

    "We are getting out soon after getting set. We can't keep the momentum for too long. We have to work on it. When I was batting with Hridoy today, we nearly grabbed the momentum.

    "Then I got out. Momentum is required for a partnership. Strike rotation is important in a partnership. We have to play more low-risk cricket, not the high-risk cricket we are playing."

    Mehidy and his charges will now have to pick themselves up and prepare for the three-match T20I series that starts in Pallekele on Wednesday.