Perera leads SL to win in first T20I

Kusal Perera hit a 53-ball 77 to lead Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first T20I at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

Chasing 155, Sri Lanka reached home with 7 balls remaining with Seekkuge Prasanna, who hit a 12-ball 22, and Thisara Perera, who hit the winnings runs with a four, at the crease.

Kusal Perera reached his half-century off 31 balls, hitting Mosaddek Hossain for a boundary to bring up the milestone in fine fashion.

Sri Lanka had also surpassed the 100-run mark by the end of Mosaddek's 11th over with game looking like a formality from here on.

Another one for Mashrafe. It was a slower delivery which completely decieved Dilshan Munaweera, who chipped the ball back into the welcoming hands of the Bangladesh skipper. Sri Lanka are now 79 for two.

Last Out: EMDY Munaweera c & b Mashrafe Mortaza 8 (6b 1x4 0x6) SR: 133.33

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza sent back Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga, who almost picked out Mustafizur Rahman at third man. However, Mustafizur still had some work to do, running up fast and taking a diving catch.

Last Out: WU Tharanga c Mustafizur Rahman b Mashrafe Mortaza 24 (23b 4x4 0x6) SR: 104.34

Sri Lanka reached 46 after the first five overs of their innings in reply to Bangladesh's first innings total of 155 in the first T20I at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

Kusal Perea was on 20 off 12 balls, while Upul Tharanga was on 21 off 18. The duo hit six fours and a six between them.

Bangladesh posted 155 for six at the end of their allotted overs in the first innings of the opening T20I at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Mosaddek Hossain hit an unbeaten 34, but the Tigers failed to build on a good start provided by opener Soumya Sarkar, who hit a blistering 29 off 20, and Sabbir Rahman.

End of innings: Bangladesh 155/6 

Mahmudullah Riyad was clean bowled by Lasith Malinga as the Sri Lankan returned for his second spell. 

Last Out: Mahmudullah b Malinga 31 (26b 3x4 0x6) SR: 119.23

Shakib's first attempt at aggression turned into a tame catch at cover. Seekkuge Prasanna bowled a fuller delivery which the batsman could only help onto the hands of Asela Gunaratne.

Last Out: Shakib Al Hasan c Gunaratne b Prasanna 11 (15b 0x4 0x6) SR: 73.33

The normally dependable Mushfiqur Rahim was clean bowled while attempting to paddle sweep a straighter one as Bangladesh fell to 70-4.

Asela Gunaratne picked up the prized wicket.

Last Out: Mushfiqur Rahim b Gunaratne 8 (9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 88.88

Bangladesh fell to 57 for three as Soumya Sarkar departed just two balls after Sabbir Rahman. Soumya was looking to hit the ball over the top, but he was caught at long-on by Thisara Perera off the bowling of Vikum Sanjaya.

Soumya looked in fine touch, scoring 29 off 20 deliveries.

Last Out: Soumya Sarkar c NLTC Perera b Sanjaya 29 (20b 3x4 1x6) SR: 145.00

Sabbir Rahman became the victim of outstanding fielding from Sri Lanka as Bangladesh lost their second wicket for 57 in 5.4 overs. Sabbir was just short of his crease while chasing a quick single. He scored 16.

Seekuge Prasanna effected a direct hit at the non-striker's end to remove the right-hander.

Last Out: Sabbir Rahman run out 16 (14b 2x4 0x6) SR: 114.28

Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman rebuilt the innings after the early loss of Tamim Iqbal off the second ball of the innings in their opening T20I against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Bangladesh were on 40 for 1 after four overs, with Soumya on 18 and Sabbir on 11.

Lasith Malinga struck with the second ball of the match as Bangladesh lost opener Tamim Iqbal without adding a single run to their total.

Malinga, playing his first match since 22 February 2017, bowled the left-hander with a ripping inswinging yorker that the batsman played all over.

Last Out: Tamim Iqbal b Malinga 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

The match started 45 minutes behind schedule due to a short spell of rain at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and elected to bat, with Mohammad Saifuddin making his international debut for the visitors.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera†, Dilshan Munaweera, Upul Tharanga*, Chamara Kapugedera, Asela Gunaratne, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.