Tigers lose despite record score

Bangladesh lost a high-scoring game that saw the Tigers hand debuts to four youngsters. AFP
Bangladesh lost a high-scoring game that saw the Tigers hand debuts to four youngsters. AFP

Bangladesh recorded their highest ever T20 score, but a team effort helped Sri Lanka chase the target of 194 with 20 balls to spare in the first T20 on Thursday.

Openers Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka (30) made 53 in the first five overs to set the perfect platform for the visitors, and although debutants Nazmul Islam and Afif Hossain struck three times in quick succession, two fiery innings from Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera did the job for Chandika Hathurusingha's team.

Shanaka's 42 came in 24 balls as he hit three fours and three sixes while Perera smashed fours and three sixes in a 18-ball 39.

Mendis was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his 53 off just 27 balls, studded with eight fours and two sixes.

Nazmul had an excellent game compared to his fellow bowlers, conceding only 25 on the way to his brace. Afif and Rubel Hossain took apiece.

Batting first after stand-in skipper Mahmudullah had won the toss, three brilliant knocks from Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah led Bangladesh to 193 for 5.

Openers Soumya Sarkar and Zakir Hasan, one of the four debutants for the Tigers, made a flying start, taking 49 in the first four overs.

Zakir hit 10 off 9 balls when the stand was broken, which only says how attacking Soumya was. His fifty came in just 30 balls, but on 51, his 32-ball innings, made with six fours and two sixes, came to an end as Jeevan Mendis trapped him leg before the wicket.

Top-scorer Mushfiq's 66 came in 44 balls, courtesy of seven fours and a six while Mahmudullah fired 43 off 31 balls in a 73-run partnership with Mushfiq.

The teams play the last match of the two-game T20 series in Sylhet on Sunday.