Asia Cup: Shanaka’s attacking 64* helps Sri Lanka post 168/7 in Super 4s opener vs Bangladesh
Dasun Shanaka delivered a match-saving half-century to pull Sri Lanka back from the brink and help them post a tough 168/7 against Bangladesh in the opening Super 4 clash of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka’s innings kicked off strong, racing to 53/1 in the powerplay on a pitch that played slower than usual. Opener Kusal Mendis fired on all cylinders, smashing three sixes in his quick 34 off 25 balls. He teamed up with Pathum Nissanka for a 44-run stand, but Taskin Ahmed struck first, catching Nissanka for 22 off 15 balls in the fifth over.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das smartly brought on spinner Mahedi Hasan, who struck twice early—first removing Mendis to leave Sri Lanka at 58/2, then dismissing Kusal Perera for 16. Mustafizur Rahman joined the party, taking Perera’s wicket and sending back Kamindu Mendis for just 1, as Sri Lanka slipped to a shaky 97/4 by the 14th over.
Enter Shanaka, the former skipper, who turned the game around with a fearless counter-attack. Unbeaten on 64 off 37 balls, he smashed six sixes and three fours, including back-to-back maximums off Shoriful Islam in the 18th over and a huge six to finish against Taskin. Shanaka shared a vital 57-run partnership with captain Charith Asalanka (21 off 12) for the fifth wicket, dominating the bowlers and lifting the total well above the Asia Cup’s average of 150.
Bangladesh dropped three catches off Shanaka, giving him extra lives, but their bowlers fought back. Mustafizur finished with impressive figures of 3-20, including two wickets in the penultimate over to remove Wanindu Hasaranga (2) and another batter. Mahedi Hasan chipped in with 2-25.
Shanaka’s heroics added those crucial extra runs, setting Bangladesh a steep chase in this thrilling T20 Asia Cup 2025 encounter.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 168/7 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 64 not out, Kusal Mendis 34; Mustafizur Rahman 3-20, Mahedi Hasan 2-25) vs Bangladesh.
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