Bangladesh Crushed by Sri Lanka in First T20

Sports Desk

Bangladesh’s streak of disappointment in the Sri Lanka tour seems to have no end. After losing the Test and ODI series, they failed to make an impact in the first match of the T20 series as well. At the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the team led by Liton Das lost by wickets to Sri Lanka.

With this, Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. Batting first, Bangladesh managed to score 154 in 20 overs. The hosts chased down the target with one over to spare, winning by 7 wickets. Kusal Mendis was named Player of the Match for his brilliant 73 off 51 balls.

Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to field first. Batting first, Bangladesh opener Parvez Hossain Emon played a superb innings of 38 off 22 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. No one else could meet expectations. Returning to the team, Naim Sheikh scored 32 off 29 balls. Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 29 runs from 23 balls. These two innings, however, slowed the run rate. Among Sri Lankan bowlers, Maheesh Theekshana took 2 wickets for 37 runs in 4 overs, and Dasun Shanaka took 1 wicket for 22 runs in 4 overs.

Chasing a target of 155, Sri Lanka began with aggressive batting. In the opening partnership, Pathum Nissanka played an explosive innings of 42 off 16 balls, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes. The team crossed 80 runs in the powerplay.

Though Nissanka fell before reaching his fifty, the standout performance came from Kusal Mendis. He played an excellent innings of 73 off 51 balls, which made Sri Lanka’s victory easier. His innings included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Sri Lanka reached 159 runs losing only 3 wickets in 19 overs to seal the victory, with 6 balls to spare. Among Bangladeshi bowlers, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Rishad Hossain took one wicket each, but that was not enough for the team to win.