Dhaka, March 5 -- A heroic 68 by Jaker Ali Anik almost earned Bangladesh an unlikely win, but the home side failed to keep their nerves in a last-over thriller, allowing Sri Lanka to take a 1-0 lead in the Twenty20 International series.

Veteran Mahmudullah also shone with the bat upon his return to the format after a gap of one and a half years.

But the visitors edged the Tigers by three runs in the first of the three-match series in Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Jaker smashed four boundaries and six sixes in his 34-ball onslaught, supported by Mahmudullah's 54 off 31 with two fours and four sixes after a poor start by their side.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah (54 off 31) steadied the innings with a 3...