Thisara Perera removed danger man Anamul Haque off the final ball to hand Sri Lanka a dramatic two-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 international in Chittagong.

Sri Lanka, the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 side, made 168-7 after being sent in to bat and then restricted Bangladesh to 166-7 to take the lead in the two-match series.

With Bangladesh needing 17 runs from the final over, Anamul smashed 14 runs off the first five deliveries, but then gave Perera a return catch with the last ball.

Anamul returned disappointed after making a gallant 58 off 45 balls with seven boundaries, including three in the tense final over.

Tamim Iqbal and Shamsur Rahman gave the hosts a flying start with an opening stand of 52 in six overs, before both batsmen fell in the space of two overs to make it 64-2.

Shakib Al Hasan helped Anamul add 43 for the third wicket, but Bangladesh lost four quick wickets to slip from 107-2 in the 14th over to 158-6.

Anamul faltered when it mattered most to leave Sri Lanka victors as Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekara finished with two wickets each.

For Sri Lanka, left-handed opener Kusal Perera top-scored with 64 off 44 balls, but he found little support from the rest of the top order batsmen.

Sri Lanka won the preceding two-Test series 1-0.

The second Twenty20 game will also be played in Chittagong on Friday.