In an ultimate contradictory versions of performance, the host Bangladesh is soundly defeated by Sri Lanka in the final of the Rocket tri-nation series, 2018. The island nation, under the new head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, journeyed with per excellence to clinch the trophy of series, beating the home team by 97 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. It was a rough day at home for Bangladesh, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan had fallen to a shocking injury during the Sri Lankan innings, left out of the ground in pain and later diagnosed with a broken left hand finger. The world number one all-rounder did not only failed to bat in the Bangladesh innings for this match but the physicians left him with a prognosis of two weeks out of action. Bangladesh, with 9 wickets in hand, ended scoring 142 runs in their innings with almost nine overs to spare. The innings of the home team was coffined as soon as highest scorer Mahmudullah Riyad fall in the hands of Tharanga off the bowling of debutant Madushanka, who ended 3 for 26 runs bowling 6.1 overs. Mahmudullah Riyad solely fought for Bangladesh, brilliantly knocked down every bowler of the opposition during his 76 runs. He featured 92 balls, struck 6 fours and 3 eye catching sixes. There could be no excuse for the home team losing wickets in a flurry in the beginning of their innings. In form Tamim Iqbal opened the gate of downfall for Bangladesh, departing as early as in the sixth over at the team score of 11. Tamim struggled through his innings, faced 18 balls to get 3 runs was caught by Chameera off Dananjaya. The late pull shot in a bouncer edged deep for Tamim, slinging to a lofty catch to the fielder. Mohammad Mithun immediately followed him within several overs despite he was looking promising in the wicket. The overexcited calling for a single ruined his innings after 10 runs, Thisara Perera hit the wickets of Mithun with a direct throw in the first delivery of the ninth over. The wicket at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka slowed down all along the time. Hard hitter Sabbir Rahman (2 off 9) vowed to stay solemn in the crease, produced a racking shot in one of the short deliveries Chameera, lost his wicket in quite a similar fashion with that of Tamim Iqbal. The unfortunate absence of Shakib Al Hasan blew hard air in Bangladesh innings. wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim came to bat at number four; the innings was not that kind of Mushfiqur, it seemed he lost his concentration quite early, one failure in an attempted reverse sweep could not bring his temper back, he tried in the immediate next delivery, timely caught by Upul Tharanga off Dananjaya. The 40 ball 22 from Mushfiqur contained one shot of four. Brief Score: Sri Lanka 221 all out (50 overs) Upul Tharanga 56, Dinesh Chandimal 45, Niroshan Dickwella 42 Rubel Hossain 4/46, Mustafizur Rahman 2/29, Mohammad Saifuddin 1/15 Bangladesh 142/9 (41.1 overs, Shakib Al Hasan – absent hurt) Mahmudullah Riyad 76, Mushfiqur Rahim 22, Mohammad Mithun 10 Shehan Madushanka 3/26, Akila Dananjaya 2/30, Dushmantha Chameera 2/17 Result: Sri Lanka won by 97 runs. Man of the Match: Upul Tharanga Toss: Sri Lanka.