Bangladesh women started their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a 25-run defeat at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

After losing the ODI series in Rajshahi earlier, the Tigresses were hoping for a fresh start in the shortest format. However, Nigar Sultana Joty’s side failed to chase down a challenging target of 162 runs.

Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to field first, but their bowlers could not make the decision count as Sri Lanka posted a strong total of 161 for 4 in 20 overs.

Two Sri Lankan batters struck half-centuries to power the visitors. Imesha Dulani scored 55 off 40 balls, hitting seven fours, while Harshitha Samarawickrama played a brilliant knock of 61 from 35 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. Captain Chamari Athapaththu also contributed 32 runs.

In reply, Bangladesh made a decent start but lost four wickets for just five runs to slip into trouble.

Opener Juairiya Ferdous was the first to depart for 16 with the team score on 39. Sharmin Akter followed for 1 in the next over, while captain Nigar Sultana was dismissed for a duck two balls later. Dilara Akter then fell for 23, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 4-44.

Shorna Akter fought back with a valiant innings of 60 runs from 45 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes. However, she received little support from the other end as Bangladesh finished short of the target.

Harshitha Samarawickrama was named Player of the Match for her match-winning 61.

With the victory, Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. They had earlier won the ODI series 2-1 after recovering from defeat in the opening match in Rajshahi.