Sri Lanka has defeated Bangladesh in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 with relative ease to kick off their campaign in this tournament in style, taking a massive step towards a place in the playoffs.
The Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh game was Match 5 of the ACC Asia Cup 2025. The match was played in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and saw the Lankan Lions win the toss and decide to bowl first, something that has become a trend in this tournament.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Sri Lanka Dominates Bangladesh In Asia Cup Match
Bangladesh, fresh from their impressive victory over Hong Kong in their previous match, had an unfavourable start to this match. The first over, bowled by Nuwan Thushara, was a wicket maiden, with opener Tanzid Hasan losing his wicket off a peach of a delivery that dislodged the off stump.
The next over, bowled by Dushmantha Chameera, was yet another wicket maiden, as Parvez Hossain Emon misjudged a ball that did not move in and was caught behind. The Bangla Tigers were 0/2 after two overs.
Before the power play, another wicket would fall. In the fifth over, Towhid Hridoy skied the ball but was dropped by the Lankan captain, Charith Asalanka. However, a couple of deliveries later, batter Kamil Mishara, in the best play of the match, threw the ball from the boundary and managed to get a direct hit as Hridoy was run out in incredible fashion, 11/3.
After a tumultuous powerplay, which ended with a few good boundaries by the skipper Litton Das, the spinners came in and almost immediately took their first prey. In the eighth over, Mehedi Hasan was trapped in front of the wickets by Wanindu Hasaranga, 38/4. In between wickets, Sri Lanka made a lot of chances; a few balls fell just in front of fielders, and a catch or two were dropped. The ball even kissed the wicket at one point, but the bails didn’t fall.
The fifth wicket would come in the 10th over, as it was Litton Das’ turn to return to the pavilion. At a personal score of 28, the captain looked to play a reverse sweep but got a top edge, with the ball being caught by the wicketkeeper.
However, after losing five wickets in just 10 overs, Bangladesh would not lose any more for the remainder of their inning. While playing slowly and cautiously, the sixth-wicket partnership of Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain managed to protect their wickets against an onslaught of quality Sri Lankan bowling. Jaker (41 off 34) and Shamim (42 off 34) managed to take their team past the 100-run mark and ultimately ended the inning at 139/5.
While the target was small, it should have been a tricky chase for Sri Lanka, seeing how the pitch was performing in the first inning, but we have seen time and again in this competition that the pitch plays better under lights. However, it seemed like the Lankan Lions would struggle when, in the second over, Mustafizur Rahman dismissed veteran batter Kusal Mendis.
But, from 13/1 in two overs, the game would quickly race away from Bangladesh’s grasp. The pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara formed a 95-run partnership in the next eight or so overs, dominating the Bangladeshi bowling. By the time Nissanka got out after scoring a fine 50, the team score was 108/2 in the 11th over, and the match was all but over.
Bangladesh managed to take two more wickets in the next four overs, which was the time it took for the Lankans to chase the target down. At the end, Sri Lanka won the match by six wickets and 32 balls to spare. For a fine inning of 46 off 32 and a brilliant run-out in the first inning, Samil Mishara was named the Player of the Match.
With this win in the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match, the Lankan Lions have gotten off to a winning start in the Asia Cup 2025. With this win in their first match, they are now second in Group B. Realistically, they now just need one win in their next two games to make it to the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka’s next match will be against Hong Kong on Monday, September 15, while Bangladesh will play Afghanistan in their last group game for survival on the 16th.
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