Bangladesh enter the Super Four stage of the 2025 Asia Cup with a mix of relief and renewed determination. The Tigers’ qualification came not through their own complete dominance but thanks to a crucial win by Sri Lanka over Afghanistan in the final group-stage game. While Bangladesh secured their place, it was a narrow lifeline rather than a decisive triumph. Now, they face a daunting challenge against an unbeaten Sri Lanka side in Dubai on 20 September, where they must balance learning from past mistakes with exploiting the few opportunities the Lankans present.
Bangladesh’s journey to this point has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. They began on a positive note with a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong but were quickly humbled by Sri Lanka in their next match. Batting first, the Tigers managed only 139 runs, falling short by six wickets with more than five overs remaining. The early collapse in Abu Dhabi exposed weaknesses in both technique and intent, leaving the side heavily reliant on net run rate calculations to advance. Their must-win clash against Afghanistan proved more promising. Defending 154, Tanzid Hasan Tamim played a pivotal innings, scoring a crucial fifty, while the spinners, Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain, tightened the screws in the middle overs. Mustafizur Rahman’s experience in the death overs proved invaluable, guiding Bangladesh to an eight-run victory. Ultimately, it was Sri Lanka’s comfortable chase of 170 against Afghanistan that handed Bangladesh a place in the Super Four, underlining the razor-thin margins on which they survived.
Litton Das, who has led from the front, carries added motivation, needing only 18 more runs to surpass Shakib al Hasan as Bangladesh’s highest T20I run-scorer. Opening partner Tanzid Hasan has also impressed, leading the 2025 sixes chart with 25. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is also on the verge of a major milestone, needing just two more wickets to complete 100 in T20 internationals for Bangladesh. If he does so, he will become only the third bowler to achieve the feat for the Tigers, joining Shakib Al Hasan (149) and Mustafizur Rahman (146).
Bangladesh’s main challenge remains balancing their XI. Against Afghanistan, they used just four specialist bowlers, relying on part-timers who leaked 55 runs in four overs. Middle-order struggles, particularly from Towhid Hridoy, have disrupted momentum. Still, the Saif-Tanzid opening partnership clicked, giving Bangladesh their first 50-plus powerplay in 13 T20I innings, a promising sign ahead of tougher opponents.
Sri Lanka, under Charith Asalanka, were flawless in the group stage, winning all three matches. Pathum Nissanka tops the run charts with 124 runs, while Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara offer added firepower. Nuwan Thushara leads the attack with five wickets, supported by Chameera, Hasaranga, Asalanka, and Shanaka. The absence of all-rounder Dunith Wellalage slightly weakens Sri Lanka, but the Islanders remain formidable.
Learning from the group-stage defeat
Bangladesh’s group-stage loss to Sri Lanka highlighted several areas that must improve if they are to compete with top-tier opposition. In their first meeting on 13 September, the Tigers’ top order collapsed early. After being sent in to bat, Tanzid Hasan Tamim fell in the first over, followed immediately by Parvez Hossain Emon, leaving Bangladesh at 0/2. Such a poor start underlined the familiar struggles against Sri Lanka’s new-ball attack, particularly Nuwan Thushara, who has historically troubled Bangladeshi openers. Thushara boasts a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket performance against the Tigers, including a hat-trick, illustrating the threat he consistently poses in the powerplay.
Recovering from early setbacks requires Bangladesh to rethink their approach in the first six overs. In the group match, the Tigers managed just 53 runs after losing five wickets for that total, relying heavily on a resilient fifth-wicket partnership between Shamim Hossain Patwari and Jaker Ali to reach 139/5. This slow start was compounded by a middle-order that failed to accelerate effectively. Towhid Hridoy, batting at number four, struggled to find intent, getting run out immediately after a tentative cross-batted shot, while the lack of momentum saw the team score only 67 runs in the final ten overs in their win against Afghanistan, despite being 87/1 after the first ten.
Maintaining the scoring rate in the middle overs is crucial. Bangladesh’s batters often slow down after the 10th over, ceding control to the opposition and finishing at totals that do not reflect the platform laid by the openers. Batters like Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali must be ready to accelerate, finding gaps and punishing loose deliveries to set or chase a competitive total. Against Sri Lanka, where Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are capable of single-handedly turning matches, leaving the middle overs unchecked could prove fatal. Nissanka already sits atop the run charts, while Mendis rediscovered his form with a scintillating 74 off 52 against Afghanistan, demolishing the Afghan bowling line-up.
How Bangladesh can hurt Sri Lanka
While Sri Lanka are unbeaten and impressive, Bangladesh do have avenues to challenge them. Firstly, the key lies in taking early wickets during the powerplay. Kusal Mendis has historically been aggressive against inexperienced or part-time bowlers early in the innings; dismissing him or Pathum Nissanka cheaply would significantly tilt the balance. Bowlers like Taksin Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed , if deployed wisely in the first six overs, can exploit any tentative approach by the Sri Lankan openers. Using variations and attacking fields could force mistakes and apply scoreboard pressure, potentially unsettling the Lankans’ otherwise composed chase strategy.
Secondly, Bangladesh should aim to maintain a consistent tempo through the middle overs. Their past pattern of slowing down after the 10th over has often been their undoing. The bowlers, too, must be disciplined in this phase, limiting boundary opportunities and ensuring wickets at regular intervals. Spinners like Mahedi and Rishad can play a crucial role by keeping runs in check, allowing Bangladesh to build pressure. A tight middle segment can prevent Sri Lanka from accelerating and also create catchable opportunities in the field.
Thirdly, Bangladesh would be wise to include Mahedi Hasan in their playing XI for the Super Four clash, especially after their risky approach against Afghanistan nearly backfired. In that match, the Tigers opted to field only four specialist bowlers, relying on part-timers Saif Hassan and Shamim Hossain to cover the remaining overs. The gamble proved costly, as the duo conceded 55 runs in just four overs, putting unnecessary pressure on the specialist bowlers and almost allowing Afghanistan to chase down the total.
Against a Sri Lankan batting line-up that has demonstrated remarkable depth and consistency throughout the tournament, repeating such a strategy would be highly risky. Mahedi Hasan, with his experience and ability to deliver in crucial phases, provides greater control and balance to the attack. His inclusion would allow Bangladesh to maintain pressure from the outset, rather than leaving gaps that aggressive batters like Pathum Nissanka or Kusal Mendis could exploit.
To accommodate Mahedi, the Tigers may need to reconsider options such as Towhid Hridoy, who has struggled for form in recent matches, or even Saif Hassan, whose part-time bowling may not be reliable against top-order threats. Prioritising Mahedi in the XI would ensure that Bangladesh have a fifth specialist bowler capable of bowling at key moments, particularly in the middle overs when maintaining tight lines and restricting runs is critical.
