Charith Asalanka’s century and a disciplined bowling performance powered Sri Lanka to a 77-run victory over Bangladesh in the first ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.

Chasing 245 for victory, Bangladesh looked promising early on with Tanzid Hasan’s fluent 62 off 61 balls.

But the innings unraveled rapidly after his dismissal, as the visitors lost six wickets for just five runs between the 17th and 21st overs, crashing from 100 for 2 to 105 for 8.

This is the worst collapse in men's ODI history for the 2nd to 8th wicket, with only 5 runs added. The previous record was 8 runs, set by the USA against Nepal in 2020, when they crumbled from 23 for 1 to 31 for 8 before being bowled out for just 35.

Asalanka hits fifty to rescue Sri Lanka from collapse

Jaker Ali offered late resistance with a 64-ball 51, striking four boundaries and as many sixes. But his effort was not enough, as Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 167 in 35.5 overs.

Sri Lanka’s spinners did the bulk of the damage, with Wanindu Hasaranga picking up 4 for 10 in 7.5 overs.

Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 3 for 19, ripping through Bangladesh’s middle and lower order. Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando took one wicket each.

Earlier, Sri Lanka, after opting to bat, posted 244 despite a shaky start. The hosts were reduced to 11 for 2 inside five overs and later slumped to 29 for 3.

But Asalanka anchored the innings with a well-crafted 106 off 123 balls, featuring six fours and four sixes. He added vital runs with Janith Liyanage and Milan Rathnayake to rebuild the innings.

Taskin Ahmed led Bangladesh’s bowling attack with figures of 4 for 47, while Tanzim Sakib grabbed three wickets. Debutant Tanvir Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto took one apiece.

Mustafizur Rahman bowled tidy spells before leaving the field injured.

The second and final ODI will be played on July 5 and 8.