In a thrilling encounter at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Bangladesh secured a dramatic two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka to kickstart their T20 World Cup campaign. This victory marks only their second win over a higher-ranked team in T20 World Cup history, the first being against the West Indies in 2007.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision paid off as the bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to a modest total of 124-9. Mustafizur Rahman (3-17) and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (3-22) were instrumental, supported by Taskin Ahmed (2-25) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (1-24).

Sri Lanka started strongly with Pathum Nissanka scoring a team-best 47 off 28 balls, but their innings fell apart after Taskin Ahmed dismissed Kusal Mendis (10). Mustafizur's back-to-back wickets, including Nissanka, and Rishad's career-best performance, which saw him take three crucial wickets, prevented Sri Lanka from building any significant partnerships. Dhananjaya de Silva (21) and Charith Asalanka (19) offered some resistance but couldn't steer their team to a competitive total.

Chasing 125, Bangladesh faced early setbacks with Soumya Sarkar getting out for a duck and Tanzid Hasan Tamim (3) and Shanto (7) falling cheaply to Nuwan Thushara (4-18). However, Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy steadied the innings with a vital 63-run partnership. Hridoy's aggressive 40 off 20 balls, featuring one four and four sixes, was particularly impactful.

Despite Thushara and Wanindu Hasaranga's (2-27) efforts to keep Sri Lanka in the game by taking quick wickets, Mahmudullah Riyad's composed finish ensured Bangladesh reached the target with an over to spare. Needing 11 runs from 12 balls with two wickets in hand, Mahmudullah hit a crucial six off Dasun Shanaka, eventually guiding Bangladesh to victory in the penultimate over.

This win provides a significant confidence boost for Bangladesh, who have had a rocky lead-up to the tournament, including a series loss to the USA and a heavy defeat to India in their practice game. Captain Shanto expressed satisfaction with the victory, emphasizing the importance of team performance and the confidence gained from this win. "It's a victory that gave us confidence after some defeats. Whatever the margin is, I am happy to get two points and start the tournament with victory," Shanto said.

Sri Lanka's captain Wanindu Hasaranga pointed to their poor batting in the middle overs as a key factor in their defeat. "Our batters batted really well in the first 8-10 overs. After that in the middle overs, I think we batted badly," he said.

This defeat puts Sri Lanka's Super 8 hopes in jeopardy, following their earlier six-wicket loss to South Africa. For Bangladesh, the victory raises their prospects of advancing further in the tournament.