Sri Lanka began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a Group B match on Saturday. The win was set up by opener Pathum Nissanka, who scored a superb half-century.
After Bangladesh posted a below-par score of 139 for 5, Sri Lanka chased down the target with ease in just 14.4 overs. Nissanka was the key aggressor, smashing 50 off 34 balls, a knock that included six boundaries and a six. He was well-supported by Kamil Mishara, who remained unbeaten on 46 (32 balls). The duo put on a match-winning 95-run partnership for the second wicket, setting the tone for a comfortable win.
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Sri Lanka will next face Hong Kong on September 15 while Bangladesh will lock horns with Afghanistan on September 16.
Sri Lankan pacers Nuwan Thushara (1 for 17) and Dushmantha Chameera (1 for 17) made a strong start, taking out Bangladesh's openers, Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon, for ducks in the first overs of the match. Bangladesh’s struggles continued when Towhid Hridoy was run out for just eight by Kamil Mishara, leaving the team reeling at 11 for 3 after only 4.3 overs.
The situation worsened for Bangladesh as captain Litton Das (28) and Mahedi Hasan (9) both fell to Wanindu Hasaranga (2 for 25), pushing the score to a sluggish 53 for 5 midway through the innings. A crucial rescue effort came from Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain, who put on a courageous 86-run partnership off just 61 balls. Jaker scored an unbeaten 41 off 34 balls, while Shamim top-scored with 42 from 42 deliveries, guiding their team to a more respectable total of 139 for 5.
Chasing a target of 138, Sri Lanka got off to a difficult start, losing opener Kusal Mendis for just three runs to Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the second over. However, fellow opener Pathum Nissanka launched a counterattack, forming a crucial 95-run partnership for the second wicket with Kamil Mishara. Nissanka reached his half-century in just 34 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Mishara remained unbeaten with a quick-fire 46 off 32 balls.
Bangladesh’s Mahedi Hasan brought his team back into the game with two quick wickets, including that of the well-set Nissanka. Tanzim Hasan Sakib then dismissed captain Dasun Shanaka for just one, putting the pressure on the chasing side. Despite these setbacks, Mishara held his nerve and, alongside captain Charith Asalanka (10 not out off 4), hit the winning runs for Sri Lanka.