Bangladesh beats Sri Lanka in thrilling Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours opener

Dubai: Bangladesh snatched a dramatic four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a pulsating Super Fours opener at the Asia Cup 2025, held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 20. The Litton Das-led side chased down Sri Lanka's total of 168/7 with just one ball remaining, handing the defending champions their first defeat of the tournament and avenging their earlier group-stage loss.

Sri Lanka, unbeaten in the group stages, were put in to bat and posted 168/7 in their 20 overs. Captain Dasun Shanaka anchored the innings with a powerful unbeaten 64 off 37 deliveries. Mustafizur Rahman led the Bangladesh bowling attack, claiming three wickets for 20 runs, dramatically restricting Sri Lanka in the crucial death overs.

Bangladesh’s chase revolved around composed knocks from Saif Hassan (61 from 45 balls) and Towhid Hridoy (58 off 37), who laid the platform for victory by adding crucial runs in the middle overs. Litton Das chipped in with 23 off 16 balls at the top. The finale turned tense as Bangladesh lost wickets in a dramatic last over bowled by Shanaka. Needing five runs from six balls, Jaker Ali’s boundary brought the scores level, but two more wickets fell, leaving Bangladesh requiring one run off the final two deliveries. Nasum Ahmed kept his cool, tapping the penultimate delivery for a single to seal a nail-biting win.

With this victory, Bangladesh take an early lead in the Super Fours, while Sri Lanka must regroup ahead of their next clash against Pakistan. The result also sets up a crucial fixture between Bangladesh and India as the battle for a final spot intensifies.