Sri Lanka beat India by five runs in a close contest in their first ICC World Twenty20 warm-up game at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.
They overcame an unimpressive start to make a competitive 153 for six in 20 overs against India in the first inning. India were later bowled out for 148 runs as they chased the 154-run target. Left-handed batsman Suresh Raina was the top scorer for India with 41 runs. Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga was the highest wicket-taker with four to his name.
Mahela Jayawardene was the top scorer with 30 for Sri Lanka while skipper Dinesh Chandimal made 21. Nuwan Kulasekara made a quick-fire unbeaten 14-ball 21 while Thisara Perera remained not out on 18 from 11 balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three for 22 from his four overs while Varun Aaron also picked up one for 18 from his three overs.
Put in, Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets as they reached 77 for three in 11 overs. Kumar Sangakkara (4) also fell in the 12th over that left Sri Lanka at a precarious 77/4.
But a captain’s knock from Chandimal rescued the Sri Lankans. It was a patient but a responsible knock of 25 balls that had one four and a six, and it help both Kulasekara and Perera to go after the Indian bowlers in the death overs.
The Sri Lankans spanked 50 runs off the last five overs including 17 runs off the last over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kulasekara hit the Indian pacer for a four and a six in consecutive deliveries while Perera rounded off the innings with a four, a clever scoop past the short-fine leg.
