Sri Lanka sneak in by three runs to take 1-0 lead in series

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama hit fifties apiece and was involved in a 96-run third wicket stand

• Asalanka takes Player of the Match award on debut as Captain

In a humdinger Sri Lanka squeezed out a nerve-wracking three-run win over Bangladesh in the first T20I to go 1-up in the three-match series played at Sylhet on Monday.

But all credit to Bangladesh who came so close but yet so far. They fought hard even after losing three wickets in the power play to come as near to within touching distance of Sri Lanka’s total of 206-3 replying with 203-8.

Mahmudullah playing his first T20I since September 2022 came out with intent and started picking the boundaries at regular intervals to score his seventh fifty – 54 off 31 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) while Jaker Ali played second fiddle to him. But following the dismissal of his senior partner Jaker took over the mantle and nearly carried Bangladesh across the line with a brilliant innings of 68 off 34 balls (4 fours, 6 sixes).

Due to the dew Sri Lanka bowlers suffered notably Matheesha Pathirana whose four overs cost 56 runs including nine wides and three no-balls, but Dasun Shanaka who bowled the final over with Bangladesh needing 12 held his nerve to get Sri Lanka over the line picking up two wickets in the process including that of Jaker and conceding only eight runs. 

Veteran Angelo Mathews once again proved his worth in the team grabbing two early wickets in the chase and holding onto two catches.

A brilliant batting performance by Sri Lanka enabled them to post a massive score after being put in to bat first. 

Avishka Fernando fell to Shoriful Islam in the first over and Kamindu Mendis who got off to a fluent start gifted his wicket away to Taskin Ahmed. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama mixed caution with aggression to perfection to put on a stand of 96 off 61 balls. They kept finding boundaries regularly and didn’t let the opposition bowlers settle.

Kusal Mendis fell after scoring a stroke-filled 59 off 36 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) but Samarawickrama carried on to raise a fifty – 61* off 48 balls (8 fours, 1 six). Asalanka put the finishing touches to the Sri Lanka innings with a blistering cameo knock of 44* off 21 balls (6 sixes) as 64 runs came off the last four overs. Asalanka’s onslaught on the Bangladesh bowlers left them clueless. With three good catches in the deep including the one that dismissed Jaker, Asalanka took the Player of the Match in his first match as Captain.

The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.