Bangladesh offered little resistance in the opening T20 of their three-match series in Sri Lanka, suffering a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat in Pallekele on Thursday. With this win, the hosts took a 1–0 lead in the series.
Chasing a target of 155, Sri Lanka comfortably reached the mark in 19 overs, making light work of a Bangladeshi side that looked flat with both bat and ball.
Despite losing the toss, Bangladesh made a promising start with a fiery knock from opener Parvez Hossain. Though his partner Tanzid Hasan fell cheaply, Bangladesh posted 54 for 1 in the Powerplay, hitting at least one boundary in each of the first six overs.
However, the momentum quickly disappeared. From the 6th to the 9th over, they went 27 balls without a boundary, followed by another dry spell of 28 balls after a lone four.
Other than Parvez, no batter looked in T20 rhythm. The left-hander struck 5 fours and 1 six in his 22-ball 38. Tanzid (16 off 17), Litton Das (6 off 11), and Towhid Hridoy (10 off 13) all struggled to find fluency.
Returning after nearly three years, Mohammad Naim batted at number four and remained unbeaten on 32 off 29. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 29 off 23, while Shamim Hossain’s quickfire 14* off 5 balls, including 2 sixes, helped Bangladesh just cross the 150 mark.
In reply, Sri Lanka all but sealed the game in the Powerplay. Pathum Nissanka launched the chase with three boundaries in the first over off Mohammad Saifuddin, who was playing his first match in over a year.
Nissanka and Kusal Mendis piled on 78 runs in just 28 balls. Nissanka departed after smashing 42 off only 16 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), falling to Mehidy Hasan while attempting another big hit.
The scoring pace slowed slightly after that as Mendis and Kusal Perera added 42 runs in 49 balls. Perera was dismissed for 24 off 25 by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.
Kusal Mendis reached his 16th T20I fifty—his 7th against Bangladesh—off 31 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes. He was eventually dismissed for 73 from 51 balls, caught brilliantly by Shamim.
Charith Asalanka (8*) and Avishka Fernando (11*) then guided Sri Lanka home with ease.
Brief Scorecard
- Bangladesh: 154/5 in 20 overs
(Parvez 38, Naim 32*, Miraz 29; Theekshana 2/37, Shanaka 1/22, Vandersay 1/25) - Sri Lanka: 159/3 in 19 overs
(Kusal Mendis 73, Nissanka 42, Perera 24; Saifuddin 1/22, Miraz 1/24, Rishad 1/24)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
Series: Sri Lanka lead 1–0
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis
