Sri Lanka kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a bang, thrashing Bangladesh by six wickets in a thrilling Group B match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Islanders chased down 140 runs with plenty of overs to spare, thanks to some smart batting and sharp bowling that left the Tigers in the dust.
Chasing on a tricky, slow pitch, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis early, but Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara steadied the ship like pros. Nissanka played a classy knock, threading the ball through gaps and smashing loose deliveries to notch up a solid 50. His elegant strokeplay made the chase look easy.
Mishara, the rising 23-year-old left-hander, kept his cool and remained unbeaten on 46. He’s now guided Sri Lanka to victory in back-to-back T20Is without getting out—talk about a breakout star! Even with quick dismissals of Kusal Perera (9 off 9) and Dasun Shanaka (1 off 3), the momentum stayed with Sri Lanka. Charith Asalanka sealed the win with a massive six, finishing on 10 not out off just 4 balls. They wrapped it up in 14.4 overs, with 32 balls left.
Earlier, Bangladesh had a rough day after Sri Lanka won the toss and bowled first. Openers Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera fired on all cylinders, grabbing two quick wickets in maiden overs to leave Bangladesh at 0 for 2. Thushara bowled Tanzid Hasan Tamim with a ripper, and Chameera got Parvez Hossain Emon caught behind.
Things got worse when Towhid Hridoy ran himself out, thanks to a lightning throw from Mishara at deep midwicket—Bangladesh slumped to 11 for 3. Captain Litton Das fought back with 28 off 26, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin magic (2 for 25) rattled them to 53 for 5 by the 11th over. A total under 100 seemed likely, but Shamim Hossain (42 not out off 34) and Jaker Ali (41 not out off 34) turned it around with an unbeaten 86-run stand for the sixth wicket. That’s a new Bangladesh record in men’s T20Is, pushing them to 139 for 5.
Still, it wasn’t enough. Sri Lanka’s batters tore into the target, with Nissanka and Mishara starring in the Asia Cup 2025 opener. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Mahedi Hasan (2 for 29), couldn’t stem the flow. This win sends a clear signal to Group B rivals—Sri Lanka means business.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 139/5 in 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 42, Jaker Ali 41; Wanindu Hasaranga 2-25, Dushmantha Chameera 1-17) lost to Sri Lanka 140/4 in 14.4 overs (Pathum Nissanka 50, Kamil Mishara 46*; Mahedi Hasan 2-29, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1-23) by six wickets.
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