The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi lit up under the floodlights for a pulsating Group B clash in the Asia Cup 2025, but it was Sri Lanka who stole the show with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Chasing a modest 140, the defending champions romped home with 32 balls to spare, thanks to a half-century from Pathum Nissanka and a gritty knock from Kamil Mishara. This win catapults Sri Lanka to the top of the group, while Bangladesh’s net run rate takes a significant hit, leaving them in third place after their opening triumph over Hong Kong.
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The Toss and Early Drama: A Batting Collapse and Valiant Recovery
Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka called correctly at the toss and opted to bowl first, citing the potential dew factor in the second innings. The decision paid immediate dividends as Bangladesh’s top order crumbled spectacularly.
Openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan departed for ducks inside the powerplay, both falling to the probing lines of Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara. By the end of the 10th over, Bangladesh were reeling at 53/5, with Wanindu Hasaranga claiming the key scalp of captain Litton Das for 28.
What followed was a gritty rescue act from the lower middle order. Jaker Ali (41 not out) and Shamim Hossain (42 not out) forged an unbroken 86-run partnership off 61 balls, mixing watchful defense with opportunistic boundaries to haul Bangladesh to 139/5.
Their approach—busy running and selective aggression—prevented a total collapse on a pitch offering variable bounce and turn. However, the score was below par for the venue, where first-innings averages hover around 136-143, and chasing teams have a slight edge due to dew.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were relentless early on, with Chameera (2/25) and Hasaranga (2/20) leading the charge, though they leaked runs in the death overs.
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The Chase: Nissanka’s Milestone and Ruthless Execution
Needing just 140, Sri Lanka’s chase was a masterclass in composure and firepower. Nissanka, anchoring the innings, raced to his 50 off 34 balls—reaching 2,000 T20I runs in the process and becoming the third Sri Lankan to hit the milestone in 2025. He fell shortly after, caught off Mahedi Hasan for 50, but not before laying the foundation at 108/2 after 10 overs.
Kamil Mishara, dropped early but making the most of his lifeline, smashed 46 off 32 balls, including a flurry of boundaries that shifted momentum. It was the all-round poise that shone through. Asalanka (10* off 4) and Kamil Mishara (46*) steered the ship home, with Tanzim Hasan Sakib picking up Dasun Shanaka’s wicket to break a budding stand.
Sri Lanka finished at 140/4 in 14.4 overs, boosting their net run rate and sending a strong message to Group B rivals Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, struggled for penetration, conceding runs at over 8 per over in the middle phase.
Man of the Match honors goes to Mishara’s aggression was pivotal.
Key Battles and Turning Points
- Early Wickets for Sri Lanka: The seam duo of Chameera and Thushara’s swing and cutters dismantled Bangladesh’s top order in the powerplay, setting the tone for dominance.
- Jaker-Shamim Rescue: Their partnership was the only bright spot for Bangladesh, but it came too late to set a challenging total.
- Nissanka vs Bangladesh Spinners: The opener’s fluent 50 neutralized threats from Rishad Hossain and Mahedi, who had troubled Sri Lanka in recent series.
- Mishara’s Drop: A fielding lapse allowed him to accelerate, turning potential pressure into a cruise.
The “Naagin Drag” rivalry, known for its intensity, simmered rather than boiled this time, but Sri Lanka’s clinical all-round display—fierce bowling, ruthless batting, and sharp fielding—echoed their Asia Cup 2022 triumph.
Post-Match Implications: Group B Heats Up
This result levels the group: Sri Lanka and Afghanistan lead on net run rate, with Bangladesh dropping to third despite their earlier win. All eyes now turn to upcoming fixtures, where net run rates could decide Super Four berths. For Bangladesh, questions linger over their top-order fragility; for Sri Lanka, it’s a statement of intent from the new-look side under Asalanka.
As the Asia Cup 2025 rolls on from September 9-28, this one-sided affair— the fifth straight lopsided match in the tournament—reminds us of the format’s unpredictability. Next up for Sri Lanka is Hong Kong, while Bangladesh face Afghanistan.
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