Legends of Sports

Opening Batsman Kusal Perera hit a destructive 64 to push Sri Lanka to a 17-run win over Bangladesh in a Twenty20 match on Sunday. Batting first, Sri Lanka made a strong 198 for five wickets in 20 overs after being helped by Perera's 44-ball knock that integrated four sixes and five boundaries. Jeevan Mendis needed only 17 balls for his 37, and Thisara Perera just seven deliveries for 22 down the order.

Bangladesh handles 181-7 with Mohammad Ashraful top-scoring with 43. "As captain, I am happy about my first win," Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal said. "Kusal Perera gave us the start and we sustained after that. We put up a good total that is why we won." Batsman Shamsur Rahman failed to give Bangladesh the essential start in its chase on his international debut when he was attentive lbw by Angelo Mathews for a first-ball duck with the team total on nine.

Bangladesh dashing to a series-leveling wins against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI, in Pallekele, attractive by three wickets in a rain-hit encounter. They were helped along by Nasir Hossain's collected 33 off 27 balls behind in the chase, the visitors showing nerves as they neared the victory - their first in 15 finished games against Sri Lanka.

Overall it was a fine time for the visitors, who had left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak flattering the first Bangladesh bowler to amassed 200 ODI wickets, as he picked up a five-wicket haul that helped drag them support into the game after Sri Lanka's openers had built a fine stage. The hosts didn't build correctly on that excellent start, ending up at 302 for 9 in their 50 overs when they looked on course for much more.

Five new players have been named in Sri Lanka's squad for the one-off Twenty20 that will finish the Bangladesh tour in Pallekele. Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Nuwan Kulasekara have been rested for the match. Mahela Jayawardene has improved sufficiently from a finger fracture to be available for selection, but was not selected either.

Twenty20 squad: Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dilshan Munaweera, Dinesh Chandimal (capt & wk), Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Kithruwan Withanage, Angelo Perera, Lasith Malinga (vc), Sachithra Senanayaka, Shaminda Eranga, Chathuranga de Silva, Shehan Jayasuriya, Ramith Rambukwella, Ishan Jayaratne, Thisara Perera

Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath has been rested for the first two games of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, which begins on March 23. Mahela Jayawardene missed out as he is yet to completely get well from a fracture to the middle finger of his left hand.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was included in the 16-man squad "subject to fitness" according to Sri Lanka Cricket's press release, and chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said his participation is subject to improvement from a quadriceps strain.

ODI squad

Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kushal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Sachith Pathirana