Kusal scored his sixth Twenty20 International fifty

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera smashed a fantastic 77 to guide his side to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 International in Colombo.

Choosing to bat first, Bangladesh lost their first wicket on the second ball of the match as opener Tamim Iqbal was clean bowled by Lasith Malinga for a duck.

Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman made up for the early loss of Iqbal with a 57-run partnership before Sabbir was run out by Seekkuge Prasanna for 16.

Four balls later, Sarkar was dismissed by Vikum Sanjaya for 29. This sparked a mini collapse as Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan fell for eight and 11 respectively.

Mosaddek Hossain and Mahmudullah stabilised the innings with a 57-run partnership before Mahmudullah was cleaned up by Malinga for 31.

Mosaddek went on to make 34 not out, which came off 30 balls and included three boundaries, as Bangladesh finished on 155/6 off their 20 overs.

Malinga was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Sanjaya, Prasanna and Asela Gunaratne chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 156 to win, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start as Kusal and stand-in captain Upul Tharanga amassed a 65-run partnership before Tharanga was removed by Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza for 24.

Mortaza struck again in his next over as he got rid of Dilshan Munaweera for eight runs.

Just when Sri Lanka were beginning to find some momentum after being pegged back with the double blow, Gunaratne was run out by Sabbir for 17.

Kusal ended up making 77 off 53 balls, which included nine boundaries and a six, before he was sent packing by Taskin Ahmed.

Even though Kusal was dismissed, Prasanna and Thisara Perera led Sri Lanka to victory with seven balls to spare.

Mortaza was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Taskin claimed one.

Kusal was named Man of the Match.