Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka powered Sri Lanka to a dominant seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first T20I. With a fiery 78-run opening stand in under 5 overs, the visitors chased down 155 with ease.
Kusal Mendis smashed a commanding 73, and Pathum Nissanka blasted a rapid 42 off just 16 balls, as Sri Lanka cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening T20I of the series. Chasing a modest target of 155, the Sri Lankans made it look effortless, sealing the win with an over to spare.
The run chase was set up by a scintillating 78-run opening partnership off just 28 deliveries. While Sri Lanka finished on 159 for 3 in 19 overs, it was their bowlers who laid the foundation. Dasun Shanaka bowled economically with shorter lengths, conceding just 22 runs in 4 overs, while Jeffrey Vandersay applied consistent pressure in the middle overs. Though Bangladesh managed 154 for 5, their innings lacked urgency despite losing only five wickets.
The target always seemed slightly under par. But after the explosive first five overs, in which Sri Lanka piled on 78 runs and lost only one wicket, Bangladesh’s total looked even flimsier. The incredible start from Mendis and Nissanka allowed the middle order to comfortably steer the team to victory.
Six Boundaries in a Row: A Spectacle of Timing and Power
The highlight of the match came during a stunning six-ball sequence between overs 2.4 and 3.3, where Sri Lanka smashed 30 runs.
Tanzim Hasan bore the brunt first, with Nissanka unleashing a six over cow corner, a four over cover, and a fortunate inside edge for another boundary. Then, Taskin Ahmed was punished by Mendis, who delivered three brutal responses: a six over cover, a four behind square, and a tour-defining slog-sweep for six over deep square leg.
The fireworks didn’t end there. Nissanka had earlier kick-started the innings with three consecutive boundaries, setting the tone from ball one. By the end of their partnership, Nissanka had a strike rate of 263, while Mendis was striking at 233, highlighting their sheer dominance.
With this emphatic win, Sri Lanka takes a 1–0 lead in the T20I series and sends a strong message ahead of the remaining games.
