Sri Lanka secured the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Cricket Competition at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan with a comfortable victory over Bangladesh, earning the third medal for the Sri Lankan contingent at the Games.
Having won the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Sahan Arachchige elected to bat first. However, Sri Lanka found themselves in early trouble, losing half of their side for just 54 runs in 10.5 overs.
With the innings in danger of slipping away, Arachchige and Tharindu Rathnayake produced a crucial rescue act, putting together a 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket to revive Sri Lanka’s innings.
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Rathnayake led the recovery in sensational fashion, top-scoring with a blistering 65 off just 32 balls, smashing 7 fours and 5 sixes. Arachchige provided valuable support with 33 runs off 37 deliveries, including 3 fours.
Their partnership helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total and put the pressure firmly on Bangladesh heading into the chase.
Bangladesh struggled to cope with Sri Lanka’s bowling attack and were eventually bowled out for 102 runs, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable victory and the Bronze Medal.
Wanuja Sahan, Nuwan Thushara, Tharindu Rathnayake and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth led the bowling effort with two wickets apiece.
The Bronze Medal adds another podium finish to Sri Lanka’s campaign at the Asian Games 2026, taking the country’s medal tally to three.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka – 165/9 (20) Tharindu Rathnayake 65, Sahan Arachchige 33, Mahedi Hasan 2/19
Bangladesh – 102 (17.3) Nasum Ahmed 26, Wanuja Sahan 2/17, Nuwan Thushara 2/18, Tharindu Rathnayake 2/18, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 2/26
Result – Sri Lanka won by 63 runs
