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Kusal Mendis' Powerful Blitz Helps Sri Lanka Steamroll Bangladesh In 1st T20I

Arnav Chopra

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com, @raisul_rifat88/X.com)Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com, @raisul_rifat88/X.com)

Sri Lanka pipped Bangladesh in the first T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium by seven wickets on the back of an excellent opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. 

Mendis played a brilliant 73-run knock as Sri Lanka chased down 155 in 19 overs. Here, we take a look at the highlights of the first T20I between SL vs BAN, as it panned out at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Thursday, July 10.

Disciplined Sri Lanka Restrict Bangladesh To 154

The home side, Sri Lanka, put visitors Bangladesh into bat as their openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hassan, started off decently until the latter lost his wicket to Nuwan Thushara by the end of the fifth over, when Bangladesh's score was 46. Following this, skipper Litton Das (6) lost his wicket in the eighth over to Jeffrey Vandersay, as Bangladesh were two down for 65.

Emon, who was batting on 38, played a total of 22 deliveries before he was sent back by Maheesh Theekshana in the ninth over, while Towhid Hridoy couldn't do much and lost his wicket for 10 off 13 deliveries.

In the end, Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a decent 29-run knock, while Mohammad Naim remained unbeaten on 32 off 29 deliveries, and Shamim Hossain struck a 5-ball 14-run cameo to help Bangladesh put 154 on the board by the end of the 20 overs.

Off-spinner Theekshana claimed two wickets for 37 runs in his four overs, whereas Dasun Shanaka was instrumental alongside Vandersay with one wicket each, giving away 22 and 25 runs respectively in their four overs.

Kusal Mendis Turns On Aggressive Mode As Sri Lanka Earn Victory By 7 Wickets

While chasing 154 for victory, Sri Lanka were off to a flyer, thanks to openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, as they brought up their 50 in just 3.1 overs. Nissanka, who was batting brilliantly on 42, played a total of 16 deliveries before opposition spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz sent him back to the pavilion.

Before getting dismissed, Nissanka had already smacked five boundaries and three maximums to power his side to 78 in 4.4 overs. Mendis continued to attack, as Bangladesh were always under the pump during the right-hander's stay at the crease.

By the end of the power play, they had already 83 runs on the board, following which Kusal Perera arrived at the crease. Perera, the one-down batter, struggled as he could not get off, playing a scratchy 24-run knock off 25 deliveries, putting pressure back on the home side after a brisk start.

After the loss of Perera, opener Mendis continued his muscular attack and smacked five boundaries and three maximums to play a wonderful 73-run knock of 51 deliveries to take Sri Lanka on the cusp of victory. Mendis was sent back by Mohammad Saifuddin in the 18th over, as Lankan Lions were just seven runs away from victory.

Despite a crushing start, Sri Lanka's skipper, Charith Asalanka, and Avishka Fernando found it tough in the centre, as they couldn't really get going. With just limited runs needed, they kept their heads steady in the end. Fernando scored 11 off 17 deliveries, while Asalanka scored 8* off 5 deliveries with a six to his name to help Sri Lanka gather victory in the first T20I by seven wickets, as they won with six deliveries to spare.