Defending champions Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 47 runs in the opening match of the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals which got underway at the Colts grounds in Colombo today.

In a rematch of the grand finale from last year, the hosts put up a formidable 188/7 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first.

The innings revolved around Janith Liyanage who made 40 runs while Chamika Karunaratne(28*) and Koshan Jayawickrama(16*) struck a few lusty blows towards the latter part of their innings to push them towards a par score. Arifut Rahman and Anjum Ahmed shared two wickets apiece for Bangladesh.

Photos : Sri Lanka Vs. Bangladesh – Red Bull Campus Cricket

In reply, the visitors got off to a flying start before Amila Aponso broke through with a double strike to pull things back for Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh continued to struggle from there on before eventually being restriced to 141/7 with Jasim Uddin top scoring with 32 runs.

Aponso captured 3/13 in his quota of 4 overs for Sri Lanka while Chamika Karunaratne also picked up two wickets as Sri Lanka secured a 47 run win.

Janith Liyanage was named man of the match for his all round performance(40 runs & 1 wicket). Sri Lanka will meet Zimbabwe and UAE in their next two group matches.

Chief scores:

Sri Lanka – 188/7 (20 overs) Janith Liyanage 40, Chamika Karunaratne 28*, Arifur Rahman 2/18, Anjum Ahmed 2/28

Bangladesh – 141/7 (20 overs) Jasim Uddin 32, Amila Aponso 3/13, Chamika Karunaratne 2/26