Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st T20I Match Summary

So that ends our formalities for this game. The hosts proved how dangerous a side they are in the shortest format and cruised through to victory. They clicked together as a unit and will look to carry forward the momentum to clinch the 2-match T20I series. On the other hand, the visitors are a highly capable side and will look to bounce back hard to end the series on even terms. Do join us for all the action from the same venue on 6th April at 1900 local (1330 GMT) for the 2nd T20I. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

SRI LANKA SKIPPER, UPUL THARANGA is delighted with the win and agrees that they have done a good job like the last two series. Praises the efforts from Malinga and Kusal Perera and opines they form a very good T20I side. Continues applauding Malinga and his experience in this format and adds that it helps him a lot as he keeps suggesting what is to be done and what not. On Kusal Perera, he says that in spite of being injured, he came back and played a superb knock. Is a bit disappointed with himself for throwing the start today but hopes to score big in the upcoming match.

BANGLADESH SKIPPER, MASHRAFE MORTAZA says that they started well with the bat, the first six overs were brilliant. Adds that they lost a lot of wickets in the middle overs which was bad. Mentions that they were struggling in the middle overs but Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain batted really well. Adds that they were still 15-20 runs short. Feels that they need to improve in the middle overs with the bat. Further adds the next game will be a pressure-lees as it's his last one. Reckons that the boys need to show character and fightback as they did in the Test series.

MAN OF THE MATCH, KUSAL PERERA says that he tried to finish the game but couldn't do so. Still he is happy with the win. Adds that there were couple of injuries but he recovered well. Mentions that every player has a rough patch but all you need is to back your skill. Ends by saying that they need to win the final match to take the T20I series.

Mortaza used 7 bowlers and that should tell you he tried everything that he could do. Shakib had an off day with both bat and ball. Rahman was expensive at the start but came back well. Taskin too had a tough outing while Mortaza was the only one who made an impact with the ball but didn't prove to be threatening enough. Bangladesh now have lost 8 T20Is in a row, something that would not amuse them. Stay tuned for the presentation...

Bangladesh needed a breakthrough and their skipper, Mortaza, came into action and got a couple of quick wickets to dent the hosts' momentum. However, Kusal Perera stood like a rock and kept on marching with Gunaratne first and then Prasanna. Towards the end he fell prey to Taskin but the damage was already been done by then. He took the game away from the visitors with his audacious striking.

Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the T20I series and to add to it, they will be elated to register a win at a venue which doesn't favour them much. After restricting Bangladesh to a competitive total, they needed a great start. Skipper Tharanga and keeper Kusal Perera provided them with one and in particular the latter who was in some stunning mood tonight. The duo made full use of the Powerplay and kept the chase on.

FOUR! Thisara Perera finishes off in style! Low full toss, Perera gets under it and lofts it over Ahmed's head for a boundary. SRI LANKA WIN BY 6 WICKETS!

Full length ball outside off, Prasanna hits it down the ground as Ahmed tries to stop it in his followthrough but fails. The mid off fielder half-stops it and deflects it towards long on. Single taken.

SIX! That's smacked! Low full toss around off, Prasanna gets under it and heaves it over mid-wicket. Has got enough distance and elevation on it to get another maximum to his name. Sri Lanka are within the touching distance now. 3 needed from 9 balls.

On a length outside off, Prasanna has a wild heave across the line but misses it completely.

Perera replaces Perera! It's Thisara who walks in next!

OUT! Sri Lanka are still in the driver's seat though with 9 needed from 11 balls. Ahmed bangs in a short delivery on middle, Perera looks to smash it across the line but ends up getting a top edge. The ball lobs over Taskin Ahmed's head. Sarkar comes across to his left from mid off and takes a simple catch. Kusal Perera has to depart but not before playing a brilliant knock.

TASKIN AHMED is back into the attack. 9 needed from 12 balls!

SIX! He's nailed it! A good over till now gets spoiled. Fullish ball on middle and leg, Prasanna smokes it over mid-wicket and clears the fence with ease. This was a terrific and a much-needed hit.

Third man is coming up!

Full toss on middle and leg, Perera swings across the line and gets it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Seekkuge comes down the track and drills the fullish delivery to long off for a single.

Smart bowling from Rahman. The pressure is building up and this is the third dot in a row. He bowls a full and wide delivery outside off, Prasanna throws his bat at it but misses.

Beautifully bowled! Change of pace and it's cutting across Prasanna. He looks to lap sweep it but fails to get any bat on it.

Low full toss, Prasanna pushes it to covers.

MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN returns!

Fuller length ball outside off, Prasanna looks to force it through the off side but gets an inside edge to square leg for a single. Sri Lanka need 17 from 18 balls.

FOUR! Streaky runs but they all count! Short delivery in lines of the stumps, Prasanna goes for the pull but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head and through to the fence.

Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

FOUR! Muscled away! Short of a length ball on middle, Perera uses his feet and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

On a length outside off, Prasanna places it to point for a single.

Shortish and room on offer, Perera cuts it to deep cover for a single.

MASHRAFE MORTAZA is back into the attack! 29 needed from 24!

Full length ball on middle, clipped nicely to deep mid-wicket for a couple.