Pallekele: A mediocre effort saw Bangladesh put up a modest 154-5 against Sri Lanka in the first T20 of the three-match series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today. Opener Parvez Hossain Emon made a team-best 38 off 22 balls with five fours and one six. Naim Sheikh, who made a comeback to international cricket with this match, scored an unbeaten 32 off 29 balls, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a slow-paced 29.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shamim Patwari later hit two sixes in his 5-ball 14 not out to help the side surpass the 150-run mark. After being sent to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a whirlwind start, courtesy of Emon's free-flowing batting.
Maheesh Theekshana, who took 2-37 for Sri Lanka, removed Emon, bringing Bangladesh back down to earth. However, no other Bangladesh batters could shift into high gear, leaving Sri Lanka a modest target to chase.