Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2017: 1st T20I, 5 Talking Points

#1 Kusal Perera silences his critics

Perera played some eye-catching shots in his spectacular half-century

Sri Lankan selectors have not had the luxury of considering Kusal Perera for the shorter formats for some time now due to his bouts of injuries. Nirosha Dickwella had, however, filled in well for Perera but today the aggressive southpaw showed what Lanka were missing.

A flamboyant half-century against some tight bowling by the visitors sealed the game for Sri Lanka. Perera was aggressive from the onset, smashing boundaries at will. He smashed Shakib for two fours and a six in the powerplay.

He made 65 with Tharanga in an enterprising opening stand that ended when the skipper was dismissed by Mortaza. Despite losing partners at the other end, Perera continued to dominate the bowling and was dismissed only in the penultimate over when Lanka were on the verge of victory.