Sri Lanka secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I of the series in Pallekele on Thursday, largely thanks to a blistering opening partnership between Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka that propelled the hosts to their highest-ever PowerPlay score in the format. Chasing a target of 155, Sri Lanka reached the mark with an over to spare, effectively dismantling the target in the initial overs.
The Sri Lankan chase began in spectacular fashion as openers Nissanka and Mendis unleashed a barrage of boundaries on the Bangladeshi bowlers. Nissanka set the tone with three boundaries off the first over from Mohammad Saifuddin. Mendis followed suit by attacking Taskin Ahmed, hitting two boundaries and a six in his first over. Despite a quick bowling change, the onslaught continued with Nissanka taking 16 runs off Tanzim Hasan Sakib, followed by Mendis adding two more sixes and a boundary against Taskin. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also faced aggression from Nissanka, who hit two sixes before being dismissed.
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka batting aggressively during their record opening partnership in the first T20I against Bangladesh
Nissanka’s explosive cameo ended on 42 runs from just 16 deliveries when he was caught at mid-on off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who found instant revenge after being hit for two sixes earlier in the over. Although Sri Lanka’s scoring rate slowed marginally after Nissanka’s departure, finishing the PowerPlay at 83 for 1, this still marked a new record for the highest PowerPlay score for Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals, laying a formidable foundation for the chase.
Kusal Mendis continued to anchor the innings, reaching his half-century in 31 balls after his initial rapid scoring rate of 35 off 12 deliveries. Kusal Perera provided support with timely boundaries to maintain momentum. Bangladesh introduced spin from both ends in the middle overs, which helped curb Sri Lanka’s scoring somewhat. Perera was eventually dismissed, top-edging a wrong-un from Rishad Hossain to square leg.
With the required run rate well under six, Mendis steered the chase, ultimately contributing 73 runs from 51 deliveries before falling just eight runs shy of the target. Charith Asalanka then sealed the victory emphatically, hitting a six over long-on to complete the chase in the 19th over, ensuring a comfortable win for the home side.
Earlier, put in to bat, Bangladesh posted a total of 154 for 5 in their 20 overs. Their innings saw contrasting starts from openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who began slowly, and Parvez Hossain Emon, who helped Bangladesh reach 54 for 1 by the end of the PowerPlay. However, Sri Lanka struck crucial blows in the middle overs. Skipper Litton Das was trapped LBW by Jefferey Vandersay for 6, and Maheesh Theekshana removed the well-set Emon shortly after, leaving Bangladesh at 67 for 3 in the ninth over.
Bangladesh found scoring challenging during the middle phase, particularly against the economical bowling of Dasun Shanaka. Mohammad Naim held one end, scoring 32 not out off 29 balls, and built a vital 46-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who made 29 off 23, to guide the team towards a competitive score. A late cameo of 14 not out off just 5 balls from Shamim Hossain, featuring two sixes, provided the final impetus, pushing Bangladesh’s total to 154 for 5.
In summary, Bangladesh scored 154/5 in 20 overs (Parvez Hossain Emon 38, Mohammad Naim 32*; Maheesh Theekshana 2-37), losing to Sri Lanka’s 159/3 in 19 overs (Kusal Mendis 73, Pathum Nissanka 42; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1-24, Rishad Hossain 1-24) by seven wickets.
