Sri Lanka v Bangladesh 1st T20: Perera makes impression

First T20 scores (Colombo)

Bangladesh (20 overs): 155-6 (Hosain 34*, Mahmudullah 31, Sarkar 29; Mainga 2-38)

Sri Lanka (18.5 overs): 158-4 (Perera 77, Tharanga 24; Mortaza 2-32)

Sri Lanka won by six wickets and lead two-match series 1-0

Match report

Kusal Perera made an impressive return for Sri Lanka as the hosts beat Bangladesh by six wickets in the first T20 international in Colombo.

Playing for his country for the first time since being dropped after his failure on the tour of South Africa in December, Perera (pictured) hit 77 as Sri Lanka chased down the tourists' 155 for six with seven balls to spare.

Bangladesh always looked to be chasing the game after losing opener Tamim Iqbal to a second-ball duck off the bowling of Lasith Malinga.

Soumya Sarkar steadied the Bangladesh innings with 29 but the hosts' attack constantly threatened with Malinga, who finished with two for 38, the pick.

Mosaddek Hossain's unbeaten 34 gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but Perera's impressive start put Sri Lanka in full control and he was ably assisted by fellow opener Upul Tharanga in a first-wicket stand of 65.

Mashrafe Mortaza impressed, taking two for 32 off four overs, and briefly gave his side hope when Dilshan Munaweera was removed on eight.

But Seekkuge Prasanna took control and his unbeaten 22 saw Sri Lanka over the line in relatively comfortable fashion at 158 for four to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.