Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 international series after beating Bangladesh by seven wickets in Thursday’s first game in Pallekele.
In pursuit of 155, the Lankans reached their destination with an over to spare riding on opener Kusal Mendis’ brisk 51-ball 73, studded with five fours and three sixes.
The home side got off to a great start to their chase as Mendis and fellow opener Pathum Nissanka hammered 83 runs in the first six overs – Sri Lanka’s highest ever powerplay score in T20Is, surpassing the previous best of 75 against India in March, 2018.
Nissanka blasted a quick 16-ball 42, decorated with five boundaries and three maximums.
From there, the hosts were never really in any kind of trouble despite Kusal Perera’s (24) departure as Avishka Fernando (11) and captain Charith Asalanka (eight) guided them home.
Saifuddin, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain all picked up one wicket each while in contrast, Taskin Ahmed leaked 43 runs in his three overs.
Bangladesh continue their poor form in the shortest format as they have now lost a dozen times in their last 16 matches.
Sri Lanka, without Wanindu Hasaranga out with a hamstring injury, registered their fifth T20I victory against Bangladesh in the last seven attempts.
Having already clinched the Test and One Day International series, the Lankans will be looking to seal the T20I series as well in Sunday’s second game in Dambulla.
Earlier, asked to bat first, the men in red and green posted 154 for the loss of half their side with opener Parvez Hossain Emon scoring the highest 38 off 22 deliveries with five fours and a six.
However, none of the other Bangladesh batters impressed.
Coming in to bat at No 4 in the eighth over, Mohammad Naim was unbeaten till the 20th over but made just 32 off 29 balls.
As for others, opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 16 off 17, skipper Liton Das six off 11, Towhid Hridoy 10 off 13 and Miraz 29 off 23.
Shamim Hossain’s late 14 not out off five balls took Bangladesh past the 150-mark.
1ST T20
Bangladesh 154/5 (Emon 38, Naim 32*) lost to Sri Lanka 159/3 in 19 overs (Mendis 73, Nissanka 42) by 7 wickets
