Bangladesh started their Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 with a tense four-wicket win over Sri Lanka, powered by solid batting performances from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy, backed by disciplined bowling earlier in the day.
While chasing 169 for victory, Bangladesh lost opener Tanzid Hasan in the very first over, but Saif Hassan quickly settled in. He looked in great touch, timing the ball well and finding boundaries with ease. Along with skipper Litton Das, he put on 59 runs for the second wicket in just over five overs, giving Bangladesh early momentum.
Saif continued his aggressive strokeplay, smashing Dunith Wellalage for two sixes and adding another off Nuwan Thushara. He brought up his fifty in 35 balls before losing his partner Litton to Wanindu Hasaranga.
Towhid Hridoy then joined Saif, and the two built another useful partnership of 54 runs for the third wicket. Hridoy played with intent, going after spinner Kamindu Mendis for 16 runs in a single over. Saif eventually fell while trying to accelerate further, again to Hasaranga, but Hridoy carried on and brought Bangladesh close to the target.
Though Hridoy was dismissed just before the finish line, Bangladesh had done enough to win. A slight panic in the final over saw two quick wickets fall, but they crossed the line with one ball to spare, ending at 169 for 6 in 19.5 overs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a total of 168 for 7, thanks largely to a strong unbeaten 64 from captain Dasun Shanaka. They had started well with Pathum Nissanka (22) and Kusal Mendis (34) adding 44 in the first five overs. But after Nissanka was caught in the deep off Taskin Ahmed, and Mendis followed soon after, Bangladesh tightened the screws.
The middle order struggled to find boundaries for nearly five overs, and key batters Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera failed to make an impact. Spinner Mahedi Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman bowled cleverly, using slower balls and cutters to break the momentum. Mustafizur finished with excellent figures of 3 for 20.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka: 168/7 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 34, Dasun Shanaka 64 not out; Mustafizur Rahman 3/20, Mahedi Hasan 2/25).
Bangladesh: 169 for 6 in 19.5 overs (Saif Hassan 61, Towhid Hridoy 58; Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22, Dasun Shanaka 2/21).