Bangladesh at the back of two solid half-centuries by Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy defeated Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the 1st game of the Super Four round in the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 played on Saturday at the Dubai International Stadium.
Reporting from Dubai
After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 168 for 7, with Dasun Shanaka smashing an unbeaten 64 off 37 deliveries, which included 3 fours and 6 sixes. Opening batter Saif Hassan gave Bangladesh’s chase early momentum with a 45-ball 61, before Towhid Hridoy’s match-winning 58 took the game away from Sri Lanka, despite the islanders fighting valiantly until the final over.
Young left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who had flown back to Sri Lanka following the sudden demise of his father, re-joined the team on Saturday morning in Dubai and was included in the playing XI. Sri Lankan players wore black armbands in tribute to Wellalage’s late father, and a one-minute silence was observed before the national anthems.
Sri Lanka’s two in-form batters, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, got off to a strong start, taking on the Bangladesh new-ball bowlers as they raced to 44 before Nissanka departed, with Taskin Ahmed striking in his first over.
The scoring rate slowed after Nissanka’s dismissal, and Mendis was also sent back to the pavilion, leaving Sri Lanka at 58 for 2 in the 8th over. Kamil Mishara then attempted a reverse sweep but was bowled by Mahedi Hasan, with the off spinner claiming his second wicket to put Sri Lanka in trouble at 65 for 3 in the 10th over.
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Just as Sri Lanka were looking to set up for a strong finish, they lost Kusal Perera to an under-edge. The on-field umpire gave him out, and although Perera reviewed the decision, he was unsuccessful as replays showed a clear spike. Sri Lanka’s fourth wicket fell at 97.
After more than two and a half years, Dasun Shanaka reminded the world of his power-hitting prowess. One of his six sixes landed in the top tier of the upper stand, while another travelled over 100 meters.
Shanaka and Charith Asalanka added a much-needed 57 runs for the 5th wicket, setting Sri Lanka up for a total above 175. However, three wickets fell in the penultimate over bowled by Mustafizur Rahman, and Sri Lanka eventually finished on 168 for 7.
Sri Lanka’s 11 sixes in the innings marked the second-most in a T20 Asia Cup match, behind only India’s 12 against Hong Kong in Dubai in 2022.
Nuwan Thushara bowled a perfect off-cutter to deceive Tanzid Hasan Tamim as Sri Lanka struck early. However, his opening partner Saif Hassan looked in great touch, providing a rollicking start as he reached his fifty off 36 deliveries with 4 sixes and 1 four.
Against the run of play, Saif Hassan was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga after a well-constructed 61, keeping Sri Lanka in the contest.
Two fifty-plus partnerships by Saif Hassan—first with skipper Litton Das and then with Towhid Hridoy—set the platform for Bangladesh.
Although Shanaka picked up two wickets in the final over, it was always going to be difficult for Sri Lanka to stage a comeback and clinch victory.
Sri Lanka now face two more must-win matches in the Super Four stage: their next game against Pakistan on 23rd September in Abu Dhabi, followed by a clash with India on 26th September in Dubai
Sri Lanka – 168/7 (20) Kusal Mendis 34, Pathum Nissanka 22, Dasun Shanaka 64*, Charith Asalanka 21, Mustafizur Rahman 3/20, Mahedi Hasan 2/25.
Bangladesh – 169/6 (19.5) Saif Hassan 61, Litton Das 23, Towhid Hridoy 58, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Saif Hassan b Taskin Ahamed | 22 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 146.67 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Saif Hassan b Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 34 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 136.00 |
| Kamil Mishara | b Mahedi Hasan | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 45.45 |
| Kusal Perera | c Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman | 16 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Dasun Shanaka | not out | 64 | 37 | 3 | 6 | 172.97 |
| Charith Asalanka | run out (Liton Das) | 21 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | c Tanzid Hasan b Mustafizur Rahman | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Dunith Wellalage | not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 3 (b 0 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 168/7 (20 Overs, RR: 8.4) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoriful Islam | 4 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 12.25 | |
| Nasum Ahmed | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 | |
| Taskin Ahamed | 4 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 | |
| Mahedi Hasan | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 | |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 5.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saif Hassan | c Dunith Wellalage b Wanindu Hasaranga | 61 | 45 | 2 | 4 | 135.56 |
| Tanzid Hasan | b Nuwan Thushara | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Liton Das | c Pathum Nissanka b Wanindu Hasaranga | 23 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 143.75 |
| Towhid Hridoy | lbw b Dushmantha Chameera | 58 | 37 | 4 | 2 | 156.76 |
| Shamim Hossain | not out | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 116.67 |
| Jaker Ali | b Dasun Shanaka | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 225.00 |
| Mahedi Hasan | c Kusal Mendis b Dasun Shanaka | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nasum Ahmed | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 3 (b 0 , lb 0 , nb 0, w 3, pen 0) |
| Total | 169/6 (19.5 Overs, RR: 8.52) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 | |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.25 | |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 2.5 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 8.40 | |
| Kamindu Mendis | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16.00 | |
