Kusal Perera smashed a brisk 64 to set up Sri Lanka’s 17-run victory over Bangladesh in a one-off Twenty20 international in Pallekele on Sunday.

The opener, who was named man of the match, hit four sixes and five fours in his 44-ball knock as Sri Lanka posted a challenging 5-198 before restricting Bangladesh to 7-181.

Mohammad Ashraful top-scored for Bangladesh with a 27-ball 43 while seamers Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera each bagged two wickets for Sri Lanka.

“I am happy about my first win as captain,” said Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal.

“Kusal Perera gave us the start and we continued after that. We put up a good total and that is why we won.”

Bangladesh suffered a setback after reaching 2-68 in the eighth over as Ashraful was given out leg-before.

He hit seamer Thisara Perera for two successive sixes and then a four in the same over.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (39) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (31) kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive with a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket before both fell in the 15th over to leave their team struggling at 6-137.

Bangladesh were let down by their bowling in the later stages of the innings as they gave away 75 in the last five overs. They also conceded 19 runs in wides.

“We gave 20 runs more and that made the difference,” said Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim.

Sri Lanka’s Jeevan Mendis and Angelo Mathews put on 66 for the fifth wicket off just 5.5 overs to help their side set a stiff target.

Mendis hit three sixes, including two in an over from left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, and two fours in his 17-ball 37 while Mathews contributed an unbeaten 30 off 27 deliveries.

Sri Lanka plundered 32 off the last 13 balls, with Thisara Perera making a seven-ball 22 not out with two sixes and as many fours.