JuicyTalk
Bangladesh kicked off their Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 with a thrilling four-wicket win against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Chasing 169, the Bangla Tigers held their nerve under pressure, thanks to half-centuries from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy, securing victory with just one ball to spare. The result gave Bangladesh an early boost in the Super Four stage and reaffirmed their growing reputation as a strong T20 side.
Sri Lanka post competitive total despite stumbles
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka’s innings saw a mixture of aggressive stroke play and untimely dismissals. Pathum Nissanka gave a brisk start with 22 off 15 balls, while Kusal Mendis contributed a valuable 34 from 25 deliveries, hammering three sixes. However, it was former skipper Dasun Shanaka who turned the momentum with a blistering 64 off just 37 balls. His knock, studded with six sixes and three boundaries, lifted Sri Lanka to 168/7 in their 20 overs.
Captain Charith Asalanka also chipped in with 21 off 12, but apart from these contributions, the middle order crumbled under disciplined Bangladesh bowling. Mustafizur Rahman was the standout, scalping three wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs. Mahedi Hasan provided vital support with figures of 2/25, ensuring Sri Lanka did not run away with the game despite Shanaka’s fireworks.
Bangladesh’s chase anchored by Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy
Bangladesh’s reply started shakily with Tanzid Hasan falling for a duck in the second over. However, opener Saif steadied the innings with a composed yet attacking knock. Displaying maturity beyond his years, Hassan struck 61 runs off 45 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes. His partnership with Litton Das (23 off 16) stabilized the innings and kept the required run rate in check.
The chase gained further momentum when Hridoy joined Hassan. The young batter played with controlled aggression, scoring 58 runs off 37 deliveries, decorated with four boundaries and two sixes. Together, Hassan and Hridoy formed the backbone of Bangladesh’s chase, absorbing pressure from Sri Lanka’s spinners and punishing the loose deliveries.
Though there were nervous moments towards the end with Shamim Hossain (14 off 12) and Jaker Ali (9 off 4) falling quickly, Bangladesh managed to hold their ground. With five runs needed in the final over, Shanaka picked up two wickets to raise hopes for Sri Lanka. But Nasum Ahmed nudged a single on the penultimate ball to seal the win for Bangladesh at 169/6.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers showed resilience but lacked the killer punch in crucial moments. Wanindu Hasaranga was the most effective, returning with 2/22 in his four overs, while Shanaka picked up 2/21 in 2.5 overs during his late spell. However, expensive overs from Nuwan Thushara (1/42) and Dunith Wellalage (0/36) proved costly as Bangladesh’s batters made full use of the short boundaries in Dubai. For his match-winning knock of 61 under pressure, Saif was named the Player of the Match.
Also READ: Here’s why Sri Lanka players are wearing black armbands in Asia Cup 2025 clash against Bangladesh
Here’s how fans reacted:
Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy got Bangladesh in the game brilliantly. Skilful batting.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 20, 2025
Terrific match, Bangladesh home by a whisker. But a big win nonetheless considering Sri Lanka had been unbeaten in the tournament. This result puts greater pressure on both India and Pakistan in tomorrow’s game to stay abreast of B’desg in the Super Four
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 20, 2025
Saif Hassan 🌟 named Player of the Match for his brilliant knock, guiding Bangladesh to a thrilling win 💪🎉.#AsiaCup #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/j6YDFkEN9O
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 20, 2025
Hard-fought battle from the Sri Lankan bowlers, but Bangladesh held their nerve to win by 4 wickets. 🏏#AsiaCup2025 #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/jqvtBXyOQt
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 20, 2025
Bangladesh get past Sri Lanka in the final over of an Asia Cup classic 👌#SLvBAN 📝: https://t.co/k9MKoGbgdW pic.twitter.com/KJ0FjRYuYe
— ICC (@ICC) September 20, 2025
It is a long time since I saw a Sri Lankan team with such limited spin bowling options.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 20, 2025
Saif Hassan on song is good, since I saw him from the age of 9.
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) September 20, 2025
Bangladesh notch up a statement win ✌️
Led by incredible 5️⃣0️⃣s from Saif Hassan & Towhid Hridoy, 🇧🇩 channelled their inner tigers in an all-out attack on their opponents, claiming victory! 👏#AsiaCup2025 #bd #Tigers pic.twitter.com/yVRQUHDJXX
— Nurul H.tamim (@therealtamim09) September 20, 2025
Congratulations✌️
Team Bangladesh 🇧🇩
A lion is crushed by a tiger’s paws 🐯🐾🦁
Led by incredible 5️⃣0️⃣s from Saif Hassan & Towhid Hridoy, 🇧🇩 channelled their inner tigers in an all-out attack on their opponents, claiming victory! 👏#SLvBAN #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/GywPJwvB4o— Liton Kumar Saha (@soddo2012) September 20, 2025
SRI LANKA VS BANGLADESH 🇧🇩 ASIA CUP MATCH RESULT
MATCH WON BANGLADESH 4 WICKET ✅
PLEYER OF THE MATCH – Saif Hassan
MOST WICKET FOR THE MATCH – mustafizur Rahman 4 Over 20 RUNS IN 3 WICKET ✅
MOST RUNS FOR THE MATCH – Dasun Shanaka 64 RUNS FOR 37 BALLS
— Sahil Singhadiya (@SahilSinghadiya) September 20, 2025
