Charith Asalanka scored a sparkling unbeaten 80 as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by five wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After being asked to bat first by Sri Lanka skipper, Mohammad Naim and Liton Das got Bangladesh off to a steady start. The pair added 38 runs for the opening stand before Lahiru Kumara broke the stand by dismissing the latter caught at mid-off by Shanaka.
Shakib Al Hasan after scoring two crisp boundaries was bowled by Chamika Karunaratne for 10.
Naim along with Mushfiqur Rahim put on 72 runs for third wicket before the latter top edged a pull off Binura Fernando for a 52 ball-62.
Rahim scored a quickfire 57 in the end to take Bangladesh to 171/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 172, Sri Lanka were rocked early as Kusal Perera was bowled by Nasum Ahmed in the very first over.
Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka stitched together a solid 69 run stand for the second wicket before Shakib broke the stand by cleaning up the latter for 24, followed by Avishka Fernando for a duck to reduce Sri Lanka at 71/3.
Mohammad Saifuddin then got into the act by dismissing Wanindu Hasaranga (6) caught in the deep by Mohammad Nahim.
Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa featured in a magnificent 86 run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter was bowled by Ahmed for a 31 ball-53.
Asalanka hit the winning runs as the Lankans reached the target with seven balls to spare. He remained unbeaten on 80. His innings came off 49 balls with five fours and five sixes.
Asalanka was declared for Player of the Match.