Colombo: Kusal Perera smashed 77 off 53 balls to lead Sri Lanka in a successful chase of Bangladesh's 155 for six in the first T20I of the two-match series. The hosts completed the chase in 18.5 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

Opening the innings Perera shared a 65-run opening stand with Upul Tharanga, who made 24.

While there were no other major contribution with the bat from the Lankans barring Perera's innings, Seekuge Prasanna hit 22 not out off 12 balls to facilitate the chase.

Perera only passed a late fitness test to be included for the game.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza took two wickets to slow Sri Lanka's progress, but that was not enough.

Mashrafe, who announced his retirement from T20 International cricket before the game, removed Tharanga for 24 and took a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Dilshan Munaweera for eight.

Perera, who smashed nine fours and a six, was out in the penultimate over hoisting a catch to Soumya Sarkar at mid-off off Taskin Ahmed but Prasanna and Thisara Perera ended the game in the same over.

"I tried to finish the game. (I) had a couple of injuries but recovered well," said Perera. "Every player has a couple of bad patches, (you) have to get over it, do the hard work and get out of bad patches."

Mashrafe finished with 2/32 but other Bangladeshi bowlers struggled as Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Earlier, Mosaddek Hossain top-scored with 34 not out to help Bangladesh revive the innings with a 57-run sixth wicket stand with Mahmudullah after some disciplined bowling by Sri Lanka left the visitors reeling at 82/5 at one stage.