Bangladesh kept their nerve until the end to beat Sri Lanka on Saturday (September 20) with four wickets in Dubai, making it a winning start of their Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup 2025. The chase, anchored by Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy, helps them Sri Lanka’s 168/7.
Bangladesh Bowlers first chose Field and picked Wickets at important moments. Pathum Nissanka (22 out of 15) and Kusal Mendis (34 out of 25) gave their side a good start, but they brought back the twin strikes of Mahedi Hasan. The highlight for Sri Lanka was Dasun Shanaka, who played an innings of 64* from 37 balls. He found support from Charith Asalanka (21 out of 12), and together they pushed Sri Lanka past 150.
In the meantime, Mustafizur Rahman finished with figures of 3/20. Mahedi broke in with 2/25, while Taskin Ahmed turned off the dangerous Nissanka. Shoriful Islam had a forgetting outing and leaked 49 points in his four overs. Sri Lanka eventually placed 168/7.
Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan in the very first of Nuwan Thushara, but Saif Hassan went against to get his team in hunting. He hit 61 out of 45 balls, took on Thushara and Wellalag, and made sure that Bangladesh maximized the Powerplay. Litton Das (23 out of 16) supplement him well, while the duo sewed a 59-run position.
After the resignation of Litton against Hasaranga, Towhid Hridoy took responsibility. Hridoy’s 58 out of 37 balls, peppered with four borders and two sixes, helped the team to seal the game.
Despite the fact that it had control most of the pursuit, Bangladesh almost stumbled at the end. Dasun Shanaka dismissed Hridoy and Mahedi Hasan in the latter. Jaker Ali’s Cameo (9 off 4) and Shamim Hossain’s Cameo (14* out of 12) made the difference. With one run needed from two balls, Nasum Ahmed took a risky single to backwards, and a missed direct hit allowed Bangladesh to win the victory.
Who said what?
Saif Hassan, player of the game
The wicket was very good and I tried to time my shots. Litton helped me and it was easy to hit him. He supported a lot, he told what the next ball would be. Very happy to contribute. The preparation was good, we had a good plan against their bowlers and that worked.
Litton Das, Bangladesh (winning captain)
Before the Asia Cup we chased quite comfortably. We know how dangerous mustafizur is. Mustafizur and Taskin, the last two overs, changed the game. It looked like 190 and they kept it low. Taskin bowed a really good (last) past. I know Saif Games can win for Bangladesh. We all knew that he would be a good player in the VAE. We have to come again, new location, new team and we have to play our A game.
Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka (losing captain)
It was a great game. We kept our nerves until the end, but it wasn’t enough. Happy about our batting a bit, we could have done better in the last 2 overs. We were 10-15 runs short. Dasun Shanaka took a really good blow at five o’clock. He hit a big six and the dressing room was happy with the score nearly 170.
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