Bangladesh begin Super-4 in style
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by four wickets to begin their Asia Cup’s Super Fours phase in an emphatic fashion at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A clinical all-round performance with both bat and ball ensured that the Tigers victory.
The same Tigers suffered a six-wicket defeat by the Lankans in their group match. However, they managed to turn around at the right moment, which not only secured the points but also sent a powerful message to their rivals after they made a strong start against their arch-rival.
Mustafizur Turn the Game
The match was played on a surface that initially looked like a batting paradise. Sri Lanka’s openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka took full advantage, racing to 44 runs in the opening five overs. However, once Taskin Ahmed broke the stand by dismissing Nissanka and Mahedi Hasan removed Mendis, the momentum began to shift.
From there, the onus was on skipper Dasun Shanaka, who played a lone hand for Sri Lanka. His unbeaten 64 off 37 balls kept his side afloat and gave them a total to defend. Yet, it was Bangladesh’s death-bowling heroes who had the final say. Mustafizur Rahman’s 19th over yielded just four runs and brought two wickets, he finished with 3-20, while Taskin (1-37) delivered a disciplined final over to limit Sri Lanka to 168 for 7.
Bangladesh captain Liton Das hailed his pacers for that decisive finish,“Mustafizur’s 19th over and Taskin’s 20th over, they changed the game. It looked like 190 but they kept it down. Taskin bowled a really good final over. We all know how dangerous Mustafizur is.”
It was a classic display of control under pressure. At one stage, Sri Lanka seemed on course for 190-plus, but the Tigers’ bowlers executed their plans superbly to rein them in. That effort laid the platform for the chase and became a central theme in how Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka to seize the initiative.
Saif and Hridoy Shine in the Chase
Bangladesh’s chase didn’t begin smoothly. In-form opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, leaving the Tigers vulnerable. Yet, Saif Hasan and captain Liton steadied the innings with a valuable stand. Liton contributed 23 runs and in the process overtook Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh’s highest run-getter in T20 internationals — a notable personal milestone.
The star of the chase, however, was Saif. He produced his maiden T20I half-century in a winning cause, striking 61 off 45 balls with two fours and four sixes. His aggression and composure helped nullify the threat of Sri Lanka’s spinners, and his partnership with Towhid Hridoy was pivotal.
Hridoy himself played with authority, scoring 58 off just 37 deliveries. The duo added 54 runs for the third wicket, pushing Bangladesh into the driver’s seat. Even when Saif was deceived by Wanindu Hasaranga’s googly, Hridoy ensured that the required run rate stayed under control.
Captain Liton Das was full of praise for Saif’s contribution, “I know Saif can win games for Bangladesh. We all knew he’s going to be a good player in UAE. I know his character and I know how he scores runs.”
That faith was justified, as Saif’s knock was instrumental in ensuring that Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka with a display of maturity from their young batting line-up.
Drama in the Final Over
Though Bangladesh appeared on course for a comfortable victory, the final over added late drama. With five runs needed, Jaker Ali Anik struck a boundary to level the scores, but Dasun Shanaka suddenly created tension by dismissing two batters in three balls.
With one run still required off two deliveries, Nasum Ahmed calmly slotted the winning shot to complete the chase with a ball to spare. What looked like a facile win turned briefly into a nail-biting finish, but the end result was a triumph that will be remembered as another occasion when Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka on the big stage.
Asalanka Reflects on Sri Lanka’s Shortcomings
Sri Lanka’s deputy skipper Charith Asalanka acknowledged after the match that his side had fallen short in key moments, particularly in the final overs with the bat:
“It was a terrific game. We held our nerves till the end but it wasn’t enough. Pleased about our batting a little bit, we could have done better in the last two overs. We were 10-15 runs short.”
He also praised Shanaka’s efforts, which kept Sri Lanka in the contest, “Dasun Shanaka batted really well, we pushed him to five and he did a really good job. He hit a big six and the dressing room was happy because it was almost 170, that’s the mark we wanted.”
Ultimately, however, Asalanka conceded that Bangladesh’s superior execution in crucial phases ensured that Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka despite Sri Lanka’s spirited resistance.
Bangladesh’s Rising Confidence
For Bangladesh, this victory was more than just two points. It was a statement of intent. The Tigers showed balance, patience, and composure — qualities that have often deserted them in crunch matches. Liton emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite the win.
“Whenever you chase down like this, you are pumped up for the next game but we have to come again — new day, new team and we have to play our A game.”
Such focus highlights the maturity in Bangladesh’s camp. They know one win does not guarantee success, but performances like this provide the momentum to challenge bigger opponents.
The Dubai crowd witnessed a contest full of energy, drama, and individual brilliance. Mustafizur’s cutters, Saif’s breakthrough innings, and Hridoy’s fearless batting ensured that Bangladesh took control of their Asia Cup destiny. Sri Lanka, despite Shanaka’s gallant effort, had no answers when it mattered most.
The takeaway is crystal clear: Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka to start their Super Fours campaign in the most emphatic fashion possible. If the Tigers can replicate this balance of bowling excellence and batting depth against India and Pakistan, they will remain strong contenders for the Asia Cup crown.
So far, the Tigers have participated in 15 of the 16 editions of the continental tournament; however, they have never won a trophy despite reaching the final three times. First in 2012 at home. They repeated the success in 2016 during their first-ever T20 edition of the event and missed the elusive opportunity again in 2018.