Sri Lanka cruised to a comfortable victory over Bangladesh in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, chasing down 140 with 32 balls remaining at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. A composed and aggressive innings from Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara set the tone for the chase, while Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to break the partnership until a brief collapse late in the innings.
Sri Lanka began their chase steadily, reaching 84 for 1 in eight overs. After losing their first wicket at 13, opener Patum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara accelerated the scoring. Nissanka looked fluent, timing the ball beautifully, while Mishara attacked anything remotely hittable. By the 10th over, Nissanka had completed a 31-ball fifty and crossed 2,000 T20I runs, becoming the fastest Sri Lankan to the milestone in just 68 innings. Sri Lanka were 107 for 1 at that stage, in full control of the chase.
The partnership came under pressure in the 12th over when Nissanka attempted to loft a turner from Mehedy Hasan and was caught at deep backward square leg for 50 off 34 balls. Soon after, Mehedy struck again, dismissing Kusal Perera via review for 3, leaving Sri Lanka at 123 for 3 in 12.3 overs. The visitors lost 3 wickets for just 18 runs in 17 balls, bringing Dasun Shanaka’s dismissal in the 14th over into the mix, caught by Mustafizur Rahman off Tanzim Hasan’s delivery. At this point, Bangladesh had Sri Lanka under some pressure, but the required runs were minimal.
With only 17 runs needed from 45 balls and seven wickets in hand, Kamil Mishara ensured there would be no dramatic twist. After Pathum Nissanka’s departure, he anchored the innings and remained unbeaten on 46 off 32 balls, striking confidently to guide Sri Lanka to 140 for 4 in 14.4 overs, sealing a comfortable win with 32 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka not only secured two points but also boosted their net run rate, an important factor in the “group of death,” while Bangladesh will have to reflect on missed chances and an inability to capitalise during key moments of the chase.
Missed chance costs Bangladesh as Sri Lanka reach 55 for 1 in powerplay
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to capitalise on early opportunities as Sri Lanka reached 55 for 1 after the powerplay, while chasing 140 at Abu Dhabi on 13 September 2025.
The Tigers had an early chance to dismiss Kamil Mishara cheaply. After scoring just 3 off his first few balls, Mishara offered a simple catch at mid-on off Shoriful Islam, but Mehedy Hasan dived and got a hand to the ball without holding on. The miss proved costly, as Mishara punished Bangladesh immediately, hitting a six two balls later followed by back-to-back fours, scoring 18 runs in the over. After five overs, Sri Lanka were 44 for 1, with Mishara on 25 and Patum Nissanka on 18.
Earlier, Bangladesh had claimed the first wicket in the second over. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, brought into the attack unusually early, struck in his third delivery when Nissanka pulled a short ball for six. Two balls later, Mustafizur claimed the wicket of Kusal Mendis, who offered a catch to wicketkeeper Liton Das after scoring 3 off 6 balls. Sri Lanka were 13 for 1 at that stage.
The powerplay saw Bangladesh struggle to control the scoring, with Sri Lanka’s openers taking advantage of width and short deliveries to build a steady platform. The missed opportunity on Mishara early in the fifth over allowed the visitors to accelerate and dominate the first six overs.
Bangladesh claw back late with Shamim and Jaker to 139/5
Bangladesh mounted a late recovery in their innings thanks to a resilient partnership between Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali, adding an unbroken 86 runs off 61 balls for the sixth wicket. After a rocky start, the duo steadied the ship and kept Bangladesh in contention.
On the last ball of the 16th over, Bangladesh crossed the 100-run mark. Shamim Hossain nudged Wanindu Hasaranga for a single to bring up the team total, finishing the over on 100/5. At this stage, Shamim was on 31 and Jaker on 21, having put together 47 runs for the sixth wicket.
In the 17th and 18th overs, Shamim and Jaker struggled to find the boundary. Despite rotating the strike effectively, the pair did not hit a boundary for 21 balls. Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, especially Dushmantha Chameera’s tight lines and well-executed yorkers, kept the run flow in check. By the end of the 18th over, Bangladesh were 113/5.
Matheesa Pathirana provided Bangladesh’s first six of the innings in the 19th over, with Shamim clearing deep midwicket for a towering strike. Pathirana, who was expensive and wayward, bowled four wides in the over, giving Bangladesh crucial breathing room. The over also saw Jaker hit a four through extra cover, along with a couple of well-run singles and twos, helping Bangladesh finish the 19th on 131/5.
Dushmantha Chameera bowled two outstanding death overs, mixing his pace and delivering precise yorkers. He conceded just 15 runs across the 18th and 20th overs, but Shamim and Jaker rotated the strike effectively to maintain momentum. A mix of smart running and selective hitting saw Bangladesh end the innings on 139/5, with Shamim unbeaten on 41 and Jaker on 34.
Shamim and Jaker try to do some damage control
Bangladesh’s middle order faced a testing period after losing early wickets, but a partnership between Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali offered some resistance against a lively Sri Lankan attack in Abu Dhabi on 13 September.
After Mahedi Hasan’s dismissal in the seventh over, Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali came together to rebuild. Shamim survived a spectacular near run-out, diving full length to make his ground as Kusal Mendis executed a brilliant piece of wicketkeeping. The pair gradually added runs, showing composure in the middle despite the team’s precarious position.
The breakthrough came shortly after 13 overs when Litton Das, who had narrowly survived an earlier LBW review, fell to Wanindu Hasaranga. Facing a delivery on the short side, Litton attempted a reverse sweep, edged the ball, and was dismissed after a successful review by Sri Lanka. Bangladesh slumped to 53 for 5, leaving the task of recovery firmly on Shamim and Jaker.
Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain then forged Bangladesh’s most significant partnership of the innings so far. Coming together at 53 for 5, the duo added 40 runs for the sixth wicket by the 15th over. At that stage, Shamim was batting on 25 and Jaker on 20, showing steady intent to rebuild the innings.
Tigers in tatters as top order collapses in powerplay
Bangladesh endured a nightmare start in the powerplay, crumbling to 30 for 3 after six overs against Sri Lanka.
The innings began disastrously when Tanzid Hasan failed to score from the first five deliveries of Nuwan Thusara’s opening over before being bowled off the sixth. In his fifth innings against the seamer, it was the third time Tanzid has fallen to him.
The second over only deepened Bangladesh’s woes. Parvez Hossain, the other opener, edged behind off Dushmantha Chameera, leaving the Tigers reeling at 0 for 2 without a run on the board after two overs.
It was not until the 14th ball of the innings that the scoreboard finally moved, with captain Litton Das collecting a single. He and Towhid Hridoy tried to steady the innings, taking the total to 7 for 2 after four overs.
But the respite was brief. In the fifth over, Hridoy was given a life when Charith Asalanka spilled a simple catch, only to be run out the very next ball by a direct hit from Kamil Mishara. Hridoy departed for 8 off 9, and Bangladesh slumped to 16 for 3.
Litton offered some resistance in the final over of the powerplay. After narrowly surviving a chance on the first ball of Dasun Shanaka’s over, he struck three fours in the space of five deliveries. By the end of the sixth over, Bangladesh had limped to 30 for 3, with Litton on alongside Mahedi Hasan.
Bangladesh put in to bat first against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to field first against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.
The pitch at the Zayed Cricket Stadium has played more consistently than Dubai so far in this competition. While not entirely batter-friendly, it is expected to quicken up under lights. Commentator Bazid Khan observed that bowlers hitting back of a length could make life difficult early on, though strokeplay will not be impossible with the breeze aiding conditions.
Bangladesh skipper Litton Das, who will also keep wicket, said he was comfortable batting first:
“Don’t mind batting first, looks like a good wicket. We played good cricket in the first game, but we have to improve in certain areas. To win a game you have to get everything right. Taskin is not playing and Shoriful is in.”
Asalanka, leading Sri Lanka for the first time in an Asia Cup, explained his decision:
“We are going to bowl, looks like a new pitch so we want to bowl. It is a good memory and we want to keep the momentum up. It is a good challenge as a captain and we have a good bunch of players. We go in with a 7–4 combination with three all-rounders. Hasaranga is playing.”
Bangladesh entered the Asia Cup on the back of three consecutive series wins after a shaky start to the year, and they began this campaign by comfortably defeating Hong Kong. Their bowling attack appears well balanced, though consistency in the batting remains a concern.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are looking to reverse their recent T20I struggles. They have lost four of their last five series and continue to search for solidity in the middle order. However, the return of Wanindu Hasaranga boosts their prospects. Memories of their 2022 triumph in the UAE, when they bounced back from an opening defeat to win five games in a row and lift the trophy, will offer inspiration.
The rivalry between the two nations has intensified in recent years. Bangladesh notched their first-ever T20I series win in Sri Lanka earlier this year, while also edging a low-scoring World Cup clash in 2024. With both sides eager to stamp authority in Group B, a closely fought contest is on the cards tonight in Abu Dhabi.
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara.
Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (c/wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
