Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh's wait is over, they achieve a thrilling win over Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka had defeated Bangladesh in their previous four matches in the UAE. However, Bangladesh finally ended their losing streak and secured a crucial victory in the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2024. In this thrilling match, Sri Lanka scored 168 for seven, thanks to Dasun Shanaka's unbeaten 64 off 37 balls.
Bangladesh achieved this target with one ball to spare. Saif Hasan and Tohid Hridoy scored half-centuries for Bangladesh. With this victory, Bangladesh secured two crucial points. This is Bangladesh's third win in the last four T20 matches against Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh's poor start
Chasing 169, Bangladesh got off to a poor start. They lost Tanjid Hasan in the first over. Tanjid failed to open his account. Saif Hasan and Liton Das added 59 runs for the second wicket.
Liton Das was caught by Pathum Nissanka off Hasaranga's bowling. Tauhid Hridoy and Saif Hasan then steadied the innings, breaking this partnership again. Hasaranga was caught by Dunith Welalage off Saif's bowling.
Tauheed's half-century
Towhid was dismissed by Towhid for 58. Bangladesh lost Mehidy Hasan in the final over. However, the team secured victory with one ball to spare.
For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka took two wickets each, while Nuwan Thushara and Dasmantha Chameera took one wicket each.
Sri Lanka had a great start
Batting first, Sri Lanka got off to a good start. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put on a 44-run partnership in five overs. Nissanka hit three consecutive fours off fast bowler Shariful Islam.
Taskin Ahmed broke the partnership by dismissing Nissanka. Nissanka was caught in the deep by Saif Hasan. However, Shanaka held on.
He then gave Saif a catch at backward square leg off spinner Mehidy Hasan. With this, Sri Lanka's score dropped to 58 for two. Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera then batted slowly. In the middle overs, for nearly five overs, no Sri Lankan batsman could hit a four or six. This further slowed the run rate.
Mishara lost his wicket to Mehidy while trying to play a reverse sweep. Meanwhile, Perera was caught by Liton Das off Rahman. Former captain Shanaka and current captain Charith Asalanka then shared a half-century partnership for the fifth wicket.
Shanaka was given a life on 38. He then completed his half-century by hitting two consecutive sixes off Islam. He hit two sixes and a four off left-arm spinner Nasum.
In the last over, he hit a six and a four off Taskin, taking the team's score to 168. Mustafizur took three wickets for 20 runs in four overs.