Sri Lanka ride on Kusal, Thisara fifties

Fifties from Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera saved Sri Lanka from a big embarrassment in their Nidahas Trophy game against Bangladesh on Friday.

The duo led the score to 159 for 7 despite the team getting five wickets down on 41 in front of a tight Bangladesh bowling.

Winning the toss, fit-again Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan opted to field first.

The spinner opened the bowling himself and gave his team the breakthrough when he made Danushka Gunathilaka give a catch to Sabbir Rahman.

Mustafiz then removed Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka in between a Upul Tharanga run out while Mehidy Hasan Miraz made sure Jeevan Mendis can make no more than three.

Kusal and Thisara then added 97 in the sixth wicket in a remarkable fightback.

The former's 61 came in 40 balls as he hit seven fours and a six, but skipper Thisara was brutal, hammering 58 in just 37 balls with three fours and three sixes.

Rubel Hossain and Soumya Sarkar also took one wicket apiece for the Tigers.