Following their recent triumph in the ODI series, Sri Lanka continued their impressive run in the opening game of the T20I series against Bangladesh at Pallekele, securing a commanding 7-wicket win in front of a packed home crowd, with disciplined bowling and clinical batting.
Bangladesh struggle despite a flying start in T20I opener
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first, and the visitors made use of the opportunity with a flying start, powered by Parvez Hossain Emon’s brisk 38 off just 22 balls. However, a few quick wickets followed, halting the momentum for Bangladesh. Skipper Litton Das once again failed to deliver, falling to Jeffrey Vandersay. Meanwhile, a late fightback from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Naim helped Bangladesh cross the 150-run mark, adding crucial runs in the final overs.
For Sri Lanka, it was a clinical bowling performance, with their bowlers showing flashes of brilliance and maintaining tight lines. Leading the pack was Maheesh Theekshana, who picked up 2 wickets in his 4 economical overs. Nuwan Thushara, Dasun Shanaka, and Vandersay also claimed one wicket each, keeping Bangladesh under control with disciplined execution and sharp fielding efforts.
Kusal Mendis leads a clinical batting performance from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka started their chase strongly with Pathum Nissanka scoring 42 runs off just 16 balls, hitting several boundaries and sixes. After he got out, Kusal Mendis took charge and played a steady innings of 73 runs from 51 balls. Avishka Fernando along with captain Charith Asalanka finished the game comfortably, helping Sri Lanka reach the target with more than an over to spare.
Bangladesh’s bowlers had a tough time controlling the Sri Lankan batsmen. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the important wicket of Nissanka, while Mohammad Saifuddin and Rishad Hossain also got one wicket each. However, the rest of the bowlers couldn’t stop the runs from flowing. Sri Lanka’s batsmen kept rotating the strike and took advantage of loose balls, making it difficult for Bangladesh to defend their total. In the end, Sri Lanka won by seven wickets and took the lead in the T20I series.
Also READ: Sri Lanka Cricket requests BCCI for India series; Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI return on cards
Here’s how fans reacted:
From a rocky road to redemption, Kusal Mendis has been proving himself with matured knocks and impressive wicket keeping. An amazing sight to see ❤️#SLvsBAN pic.twitter.com/lwKP5tKOxi
— Prabath🇱🇰 (@Prabathkv96) July 10, 2025
VICTORY! 🎉 We’ve beaten Bangladesh by 7 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series!
What a start to the series! Onwards and upwards, boys!👊 #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/jeBfiOaI7g
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 10, 2025
I don’t mind getting used to this celebration.
Kusal Mendis brought up his 16th T20I half century.
Brilliantly batted inside the power-play Menda. 👏🏾 #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/K1VmMstTbJ
— Naveen Peiris (@_Naviya_) July 10, 2025
Sri Lanka up the ladder in Pallekele 🙌 Brilliant bowling first up and a blistering batting followed by the openers make the money worth for the spectators at Pallekele 👏 #SLvBAN #T20
— Nirthanan (@nirthanan) July 10, 2025
The pitch was not easy but some brilliant power play batting sealed the deal at the start itself!🔥#SLvBAN
— Oshadha Gunasekara (@OshadhaGunasek6) July 10, 2025
Lovely six by the skipper to win the match!!
Well done boys.. enjoyed a match after a long time.. #SLvBAN
— Ahamed Nishadh (@ahamednishadh) July 10, 2025
Congratulations Lions 🇱🇰❤🔥👏👏👏
Great innings, K Mendis 🫡#SLvBAN #T20
— ඩුලාන් 🇱🇰 (@Dulan_Is_Here) July 10, 2025
– 84(87) in 2nd Test.
– 45(43) in 1st ODI.
– 56(31) in 2nd ODI.
– 124(114) in 3rd ODI.
– 73(51) in 1st T20I.KUSAL MENDIS, THE SUPERSTAR OF SRI LANKAN BATTING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/E8ozBxkgDW
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 10, 2025
Not sure why they didn’t pick Jaker Ali for the first T20, but Litton Das gets out for another single digit score.
I think it’s okay. They don’t seem like a team that wants to win in any case. #SLvBAN
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) July 10, 2025
God save bangladesh cricket i mean this joker litton das is their captain in t20s such a shame #SLvBAN
— क्रिकेट प्रेमी (@kalyugperson) July 10, 2025
Winning Start for Sri Lanka! 🎉💪
Sri Lanka cruises to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Pallekele, kicking off the T20I series on a high! 🇱🇰🔥
A dominant all-round display gives them a 1-0 lead — the Lions roar first in the series! 🦁#SLvBAN #T20ISeries #SriLanka… pic.twitter.com/0mASyfsbmu
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 10, 2025
#Fans #erupt #Kusal #Mendis #stars #Sri #Lankas #dominant #7wicket #win #Bangladesh #1st #T20I
