Kusal Perera hammered an explosive 64 in 44 balls to power Sri Lanka to a comfortable 17 runs win against Bangladesh in their one off T20 international played at the Pallekele Stadium, on Sunday. Thus Sri Lanka retained number one position in the ICC T20 rankings.

Chasing down 199 in 20 overs, Bangla tigers raised a few eyebrows among the Sri Lankans before the departure of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in the 15th over.

The fifth wicket pair added 50 runs in 29 balls to lift the total to 135 before Shaminda Eranga held on to a good catch at deep square leg to get rid of skipper Rahim. Next ball, Mahmuadullah ran for a single which never was there and was run out needlessly for 31 runs, scored off 18 balls.

Bangladesh hopes sunk with the fall of the sixth wicket and scoring 62 off the last five overs was a tall order as they finished on 181 for 7 in 20 overs.

Being sent into bat, Sri Lanka posted 198 for 5 in style. Kusal Perera brought those lightning memories of ‘master blaster’, Sanath Jayasuriya, who is incidentally the chairman of selectors.

The left handed opener blasted the Bangladesh attack to put 50 runs on the board in 39 balls. His flicks and pulls were a treat to watch before offering a thick edge to wicket keeper Raheem after hitting five boundaries and four massive sixes.

After Kusal Perera’s departure Jeevan Mendis took control of the situation. Mendis plundered 37 in 17 balls with three towering sixes and he was followed by Thisara Perera who smashed 22 in seven balls with two sixes and couple of boundaries. Angelo Mathews held the innings together with a watchful 30 runs in 27 balls. (Daminda Wijesuriya)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)