Only Twenty20: Chandimal thrilled with first win as captain

Sri Lanka down Bangladesh by 17 runs to end series on a high.

PALLEKELE: Dinesh Chandimal was thrilled with his first win as captain, showering praise on Kusal Perera who smashed a brisk 64 to set up Sri Lanka’s 17-run victory over Bangladesh in the one-off Twenty20 international in Pallekele on Sunday.

The opener, who was named man of the match, hit four sixes and five fours in his 44-ball knock as Sri Lanka posted a challenging 198 for five before restricting Bangladesh to 181 for seven.

“I am happy about my first win as captain,” said Chandimal. “Kusal Perera gave us the start and we continued after that. We put up a good total and that is why we won.”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ashraful top-scored for Bangladesh with a 27-ball 43, while seamers Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera each bagged two wickets for Sri Lanka.

However, Bangladesh were let down by their bowling in the later stages of the innings as they gave away 75 in the last five overs.

They also conceded 19 runs in wides.

“We gave 20 runs more and that made the difference,” said Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2013.