DHAKA, July 10, 2025 (BSS) - Kusal Mendis struck a brilliant 51 ball-73 as Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by seven wickets in the first T20 game at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today.

Chasing a modest 155 runs target, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start as Mendis and Pahtum Nissanka put up 78 runs in just 28 balls in opening stand, a partnership that was instrumental in driving the side to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Nissanka blasted a marauding 16 ball-42, smashing five fours and three sixes, before being fallen to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who finished with 1-24 in four overs.

He kept Bangladesh bowlers at bay right from the beginning with Taskin facing most of the wrath, giving away 43 runs in three overs for no wicket. 

Mendis also hit five fours and three sixes before he fell to Saifuddin with Sri Lanka needing just seven runs for a victory.

Saifuddin offered some control in what his first match after a year. He finished with 1-22 in three overs. 

Avishka Fernando and captain Charith Asalanka then took the side home with the captain hitting Tanzim Hasan Sakib a six over long-on as Sri Lanka reached 159-3 in 19 overs for a victory.

Kusal Perera was the other notable scorer with 24 off 25 before leg-spinner Rishad Hossain undid him with a googly. Rishad claimed 1-24 in four overs. 

Bangladesh bowlers regrouped well to stifle Sri Lanka in the middle overs.

But Sri Lanka had the cushion to play slowly in the middle overs thanks to a carnage in the first powerplay.

A mediocre effort saw Bangladesh put up a modest 154-5 against Sri Lanka earlier in a pitch that offered little for the bowlers.

Opener Parvez Hossain Emon made team-best 38 off 22 with five fours and one six. Naim Sheikh who made a comeback to the International cricket with this match scored 29 ball-32 not out while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped-in-with a slow-paced 29.

Shamim Patwari later hit two sixes in his 5 ball-14 not out to help the side go past 150-run mark.

After being sent to bat first, Bangladesh got a whirlwind start, courtesy to Emon’s free-flowing batting.

Maheesh Theekshana who took 2-37 for Sri Lanka removed Emon to bring Bangladesh down to the earth. However, no Bangladesh batters later could with high gear, leaving Sri Lanka a modest target to chase.

The second ODI is on Sunday at Dambulla.