ASIA CUP 2025
Saif Hassan’s half-century set up the chase © AFP
Dasun Shanaka’s all round performance (37-ball 64* & 2-21) went in vain as Towhid Hridoy and Saif Hassan’s half-centuries were enough to ensure Bangladesh’s nervy four-wicket win to kickstart their Super 4s campaign of Asia Cup 2025 on a positive note in Dubai, on Saturday. Needing 12 runs off the last two overs, Bangladesh complicated the run chase but eventually managed to get over the line with one ball to spare.
Where was the game won?
Middle overs: Sri Lanka’s early momentum with the bat was controlled through the middle overs despite Shanka’s attack on Nasum Ahmed. Even Bangladesh’s scoring rate dropped through this period, but Hridoy and Saif ensured that the momentum wasn’t lost and their pace in the chase was consolidated.
Parameters Sri Lanka Bangladesh Score 62/3 71/2 Run rate 6.88 7.88 4s/6s 3/3 4/3
Sri Lanka
Powerplay: Mendis, Nissanka power SL to strong start
Phase Score: 53/1 [RR – 8.83, 4s/6s – 4/4]
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka made a positive start, with the former flicking Shoriful for a six in the first over. Nissanka went after the pacer two overs later, cracking three successive boundaries as the duo added 44 runs within the first five overs before Nissanka mistimed a flick to the deep mid wicket fielder.
Middle overs: Stingy Bangladesh claw back
Phase Score: 62/3 [RR – 6.88, 4s/6s – 3/3]
Even as Dasun Shanaka smashed Nasum Ahmed for two sixes and a boundary in the 15th over, Bangladesh largely controlled the middle overs. Mahedi Hasan and Nasum, along with Mustafizur Rahman, were largely stingy through this phase, and kept striking at regular intervals. It started with Kusal Mendis top edging a sweep off Mahedi to square leg after been contained by Mustafizur. Soon after Kamil Mishara, who was troubled by Taskin, was cleaned up by Mahedi. Boundaries had dried up for nearly three overs before Shanaka pulled Shoriful for a six over deep square leg.
Death Overs: Shanaka, Asalaka provide the late flourish
Phase Score: 53/3 [RR – 10.60, 4s/6s – 2/4]
Even as Mustafizur Rahman’s variations were tough to put away, Shanaka and Asalanka made up for it by taking apart Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed. Both the batters were dropped once each in the death overs, and it proved costly. Taskin used his slower balls to good effect, often outfoxing the batters, but four hits for boundaries were all that was needed to mess up his figures.
Bangladesh
Powerplay: Saif, Litton lead Bangladesh’s early charge
Phase Score: 59/1 (RR: 9.83; 4s/6s: 4/3)
Even as Sri Lanka made a strong start with Nuwan Thusara cleaning up Tanzid Hasan for a duck in the opening over, Saif Hassan’s charge ensured Bangladesh didn’t fall on the backfoot early in the chase. Saif took the attack to Nuwan Thusara and Dunith Wellalage, cracking sixes in three successive overs to power Bangladesh past the 50-run mark in that period.
Middle Overs: Saif, Towhid consolidate through the middle
Phase Score: 71/2 (RR: 7.88; 4s/6s: 4/3)
Sri Lanka struck early after the powerplay, with Litton Das sweeping Wanindu Hasaranga straight to the deep square leg fielder in the seventh over. However, Towhid Hridoy and Saif ensured that the momentum wasn’t lost after the half-century stand. The duo cleverly worked the ball around in gaps and waited for their scoring opportunities. In the odd risk the two batters took, both smacked Dunith Wellalage for a six each. Hasaranga’s return to the spell brought about another wicket as Saif departed top edging a slogsweep to short third.
Death Overs: Bangladesh stumble over the line
Phase Score: 39/3 (RR: 8.06; 4s/6s: 5/0)
At the end of the 18th over, it seemed the contest was in the bag for Bangladesh, with Sri Lanka having run out of the services of its best bowlers and needing run-a-ball to close the chase. Despite a fine penultimate over by Dushmantha Chameera, Bangladesh were left needing only one run off the last five balls. However, Shanaka piled the pressure with the ball and a nervy performance by Bangladesh in the end ensured that Jaker Ali had to sprint through for a risky single off the second-last ball to take the side over the line.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 168/7 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 64*, Kusal Mendis 34; Mustafizur Rahman 3-20, Mahedi Hasan 2-25) lost to Bangladesh 169/6 in 19.5 overs (Saif Hassan 61, Towhid Hridoy 58; Dasun Shanaka 2-21, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-22) by 4 wickets
Where do they go from here?
Bangladesh will enjoy a fairly long break in Dubai before they take on India on Wednesday, while Sri Lanka will travel to Abu Dhabi to face Pakistan on Tuesday.
© Cricbuzz
