Abu Dhabi: A composed batting -effort helped Sri Lanka to overcome Bangladesh, so that a comfortable victory was sealed in the fifth match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday.
Sri Lanka chased a modest goal of 140 run and comfortably skipped the winning points for the loss of four wickets and 32 balls.
The defensive champions of the T20 Asia Cup, however, had a contrasting start of the chase when they lost Kusal Mendis (three) in the second with only 13 points on the board.
After the early setback, Kamil Mishara joined Nissanka in the middle and the duo sent Sri Lanka at a moving distance by putting together 85 runs for the second wicket.
Nissanka, who was the core aggressor of the competition-determining stand, eventually fell victim to Mahedi Hasan in the 11th after scoring with a 34-ball 50, strewn with six four and a six.
Sri Lanka then lost two more wickets in succession, but Mishara stood firmly and sent them across the line with an unbeaten 46 from 32 deliveries, consisting of four four and two sixes.
Mahedi was the choice of the bowlers for Bangladesh and took two wickets for only 29 points in his four overs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman could claim one per piece.
Earlier, a faltering Batting collapse made Bangladesh struggled, but a late recovery helped them reach 139 for five against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka’s decision to first be favorable for the first time, because Bangladesh 139/5 was able to collect in their assigned 20 overs.
The Tigers started with a disastrous start of their innings when they were both their openers, Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon, both duck and therefore reduced to 2/0 in 1.4 overs.
Bangladesh lost another wicket in the Batting Powerplay when Towhid Hridoy (eight) was sustained in the fifth while trying to walk a few.
After the early stuttering, Kapitein Litton Das van Bangladesh tried to launch a recovery with a wise knock until the victim of Wanindu Hasaranga was over in the 10th. He scored 28 of 26 deliveries with the help of four limits.
With Bangladesh on 53/5 in 9.5 overs, Middle Order Battery Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain registered a Gutsy Sixth-Wicket Partnership, with 86 runs in 61 deliveries.
Shamim remained the top scorer for Sri Lanka with a 34-ball 42, peppered with three four and a six, closely followed by Jaker, who made 41 of so many deliveries with the help of two limits.
Hasaranga was the striking bowler for Sri Lanka and took two wickets for only 25 runs in his two overs, while Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara brought in with one scalp each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the Worp and chose to first bowle against Bangladesh.
XIS play
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushantha Chameera, Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara.
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (C & WK), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman.
