SPINNER Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed four wickets as Bangladesh overcame a late fightback from Wanindu Hasaranga to beat Sri Lanka by 33 runs in the first one-day international played in Dhaka on Sunday (23).
Mehidy returned figures of 4-30 from 10 overs of his off-spin to help bowl out Sri Lanka for 224 in the tourists' chase of 258. Number eight Hasaranga hit a valiant 74 off 60 balls.
Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets with fellow fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin claiming two.
Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim (84) and Mahmudullah Riyad (54) put on 109 runs for the fifth wicket to guide Bangladesh to 257-6 after they opted to bat at the start of the three-match series.
In reply, Sri Lanka were in trouble at 102-6 before Hasaranga put on 47 runs with Dasun Shanaka and then 62 with Isuru Udana for the eighth wicket to revive their hopes.
Saifuddin (2-49) bowled Shanaka for 14 and then claimed the wicket of Hasaranga, who hit three fours and five sixes in his 60-ball knock. Mustafizur, who finished with figures of 3-34, sent back Udana for 21 on the very next ball.
Sri Lanka suffered a blow before the match as all-rounder Shiran Fernando was ruled out after being tested Covid-19 positive twice in two days.
The match was thrown into uncertainty as fast bowler Udana and bowling coach Chaminda Vaas also tested Covid-19 positive alongside Fernando. A second test cleared Udana and Vaas of the virus and the match began on time.
Sri Lankan players, who are also involved in a pay row with the country's cricket authorities ahead of the series, were led by Kusal Perera.
"Losing isn't good, but we had a lot of positives. The bowlers bowled in the right directions. Batting-wise Wanindu (Hasaranga) did a good job," said Perera.
"It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on, we lost a couple of early wickets but I thought Tamim batted really well. I took my time and Riyad too batted well," said player of the match Mushfiqur.
The second match will be held on the same ground on Tuesday.
