BANGLADESH: The first Super Fours encounter of the Asia Cup in Dubai produced a gripping contest as Bangladesh chased down a challenging 169-run target to seal a dramatic four-wicket win over Sri Lanka. The match swung back and forth until the final over, where Bangladesh held their nerve and ended Sri Lanka’s eight-match winning streak in the T20 Asia Cup. Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka posted 168/7, powered by former captain Dasun Shanaka’s explosive 64 off 37 balls, which included three fours and six sixes at a strike rate above 170. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan and Taskin Ahmed, restricted Sri Lanka’s momentum at key stages.
Sri Lanka’s innings began with a brisk 44-run opening stand featuring Pathum Nissanka’s 22 off 15 balls and Kusal Mendis’s 34 off 25 balls. But their middle order faltered as wickets fell quickly, reducing the team to 97/4 in the 14th over. Shanaka then combined with skipper Charith Asalanka, who chipped in with 21 off 12 balls, to push the total to a competitive 168/7 by the end of the innings. Shanaka’s knock not only showcased his finishing prowess but also took his international tally past 3,000 runs, highlighting his consistency in the shortest format.
Bangladesh’s chase began nervously when Nuwan Thushara bowled Tanzid Hasan Tamim for a two-ball duck, but opener Saif Hassan steadied the innings with an aggressive 61 off 45 balls, striking boundaries at will and building a crucial 54-run stand with Towhid Hridoy. Captain Litton Das played a supportive role with 23 off 16 balls, ensuring Bangladesh stayed ahead of the required rate in the powerplay before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga shortly after. Hasaranga also claimed Hassan’s wicket to bring Sri Lanka back into the game.
Towhid Hridoy took charge in the middle overs, smashing Kamindu Mendis for a six and two fours in a single over and bringing up his fifty with a single in the 17th over. His dismissal in the penultimate over by Dushmantha Chameera left Bangladesh needing five runs from the last over. Jaker Ali’s boundary off the first ball eased the tension before his dismissal on the next delivery. Despite a brief scare, Nasum Ahmed dabbed for a single with two balls to spare, sealing a nerve-wracking win for Bangladesh and announcing their arrival as serious contenders in the Super Fours stage of the tournament.
