Bangladesh triumphs over Sri Lanka by four wickets as the Asia Cup Super Fours commence in Dubai.
Published On 20 Sep 2025
Dynamic half-centuries from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy propelled Bangladesh to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Super Fours opener.
Hassan delivered a powerful 61 runs off 45 deliveries, including two boundaries and four sixes, while Hridoy contributed a swift 58 from 37 balls with two sixes. Bangladesh clinched the win with just one ball remaining in a nail-biting finish on Saturday.
Needing five runs from the final six balls, Jaker Ali launched a four off Dasun Shanaka’s first delivery before being dismissed. Shanaka then quickly removed Mahedi Hasan for a two-ball duck.
On the penultimate ball, Nasum Ahmed and Shamim Hossain, unbeaten on 14 from 12 balls, sprinted between the wickets to end Sri Lanka’s unbeaten streak.
Bangladesh closed at 169 for 6, marking their third-highest successful chase in T20 cricket.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 168 for 7, powered by Shanaka’s unbeaten 64 off 37 balls.
The next Super Four encounter features India and Pakistan on Sunday, marking their second meeting in the tournament following a tense group stage match that ended without handshakes.
Despite a brisk start from Pathum Nissanka (22) and Kusal Mendis (34), Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 65 for 3 after 9.1 overs, thanks to two wickets from Mahedi Hasan.
Shanaka then took control, smashing 50 runs off 30 balls, including two fours and five sixes. He struck six sixes in total and forged a 57-run partnership off 27 balls with Charith Asalanka for the fifth wicket.
In the 19th over, Asalanka was both dropped and run out on the same ball after scoring 21 from 12 deliveries. Shanaka, despite being dropped, remained unbeaten until the innings concluded.
The run out and two wickets by Mustafizur Rahman in that over disrupted Sri Lanka’s momentum significantly.
Tanzid Hasan was dismissed for a two-ball duck, but his partner remained undeterred, launching a counterattack against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh captain Litton Das contributed 23 runs, sharing a 59-run second-wicket stand off 34 balls.
Bangladesh reached 59 for 1 in the powerplay, with Saif Hassan leading the charge, reaching his half-century off 36 balls.
The partnership between Hassan and Hridoy added 54 runs, accelerating Bangladesh’s pursuit.
Hridoy steered the chase confidently, scoring 50 off 31 balls before being trapped by Dushmantha Chameera in the 19th over. Shamim Hossain then guided Bangladesh to victory despite the tense final over.
This win marked Bangladesh’s first successful chase of over 160 runs in 16 attempts, the last being against Sri Lanka in March 2024.
