Sri Lanka scored 161 for 4 in 20 overs against Bangladesh in the first T20I on Tuesday after Nigar Sultana won the toss and chose to field, with the innings built through controlled partnerships following an early wicket.
Sri Lanka lost Hasini Perera at 25, which gave Bangladesh early control with the new ball. Bangladesh’s bowlers kept lengths tight in the opening phase, but they did not create sustained pressure through dot balls after the first breakthrough.
Chamari Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani rebuilt the innings with a second-wicket stand that stabilised momentum. Athapaththu scored 32 from 30 balls, which kept the scoring rate steady without taking risks against Bangladesh’s spin options. Dulani played the more assertive role, which allowed the partnership to maintain balance between control and progression.
Dulani’s 55 from 40 balls shifted the innings from recovery to accumulation. She used boundary options effectively, hitting seven fours and targeting gaps rather than aerial shots.
Sri Lanka added 70 runs for the third wicket, which defined the innings structure. Bangladesh rotated bowlers but did not disrupt rhythm, which allowed Sri Lanka to build without facing scoreboard pressure.
Harshitha Samarawickrama accelerated in the final phase with 61 from 35 balls. She increased tempo by attacking length deliveries and converting strike regularly, which pushed Sri Lanka beyond a par total.
Bangladesh shared wickets across the attack but lacked control in key phases. Sultana Khatun took two wickets, while Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter claimed one each. Nahida played her 100th T20I, but Sri Lanka managed her overs without major risk.
