Bangladesh pulled off a thrilling 4-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four opener at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 20, 2025, ending Sri Lanka’s eight-match T20 Asia Cup winning streak and avenging their earlier group-stage defeat. This analysis, sourced from verified outlets like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and Al Jazeera, details player performances, innings summaries, key moments, and tournament implications. Sri Lanka posted 168/7, powered by Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 64 off 37, but Bangladesh chased 169 in 19.5 overs, driven by Saif Hassan’s match-winning 61 off 45, earning him Player of the Match honors, and Towhid Hridoy’s explosive 58 off 36. Mustafizur Rahman’s 3/20 was pivotal in restricting Sri Lanka.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
- Match Covered: 13th Match, Super Four — September 20, 2025
- Result: Bangladesh won by 4 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)
(Sri Lanka 168/7 in 20 overs; Bangladesh 169/6 in 19.5 overs) - Venue & Date: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai — September 20, 2025
- Toss: Bangladesh won and elected to field
- Match Duration: 3 hours, 40 minutes
- Attendance: ~18,000
On a spin-friendly Dubai pitch, Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Mustafizur’s 3/20, triggered a Sri Lankan collapse from 80/2 to 115/6 before Shanaka’s late onslaught. Bangladesh’s chase was anchored by a 59-run stand between Saif and Litton Das, followed by a 54-run partnership with Hridoy, navigating a tense finish to secure the win. This result propels Bangladesh (1-0 in Super Four) into their next clash against India on September 24, while Sri Lanka (2-1 overall) face Pakistan on September 23.
Sri Lanka Innings: 168/7 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Sri Lanka lost opener Pathum Nissanka (22 off 18) to Taskin Ahmed in the fourth over, but Kusal Mendis (34 off 26) and Kusal Perera (14 off 10) steadied with a 30-run second-wicket stand, reaching 50/1 by the powerplay’s end. A middle-order collapse, sparked by Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan, saw Mendis, Perera, and Wanindu Hasaranga (6 off 8) fall, leaving Sri Lanka at 115/6 by the 16th over. Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 64 off 37 (6 sixes, 2 fours), alongside a 50-run stand with Charith Asalanka (21 off 15), revived the innings, adding 53 runs in the final five overs. Taskin’s four dots in the 19th over ensured the total stayed below 170.
Key Sri Lanka Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Dasun Shanaka | 64* (37) | 173.00 | Unbeaten; 6 sixes, 2 fours; 50-run stand with Asalanka |
| Kusal Mendis | 34 (26) | 130.77 | 30-run stand with Perera; caught off Mahedi |
| Pathum Nissanka | 22 (18) | 122.22 | Early boundaries; caught off Taskin |
| Charith Asalanka (Captain) | 21 (15) | 140.00 | Supported Shanaka; run out |
| Kusal Perera | 14 (10) | 140.00 | Powerplay aggression; bowled by Mustafizur |
Bangladesh Bowling Figures
- Mustafizur Rahman (Pacer): 4-0-20-3, Econ 5.00, 3 wkts (Perera, two others). Game-changing 19th over.
- Mahedi Hasan (Spinner): 4-0-25-2, Econ 6.25, 2 wkts (Mendis, Hasaranga). Mid-overs control.
- Taskin Ahmed (Pacer): 4-0-37-1, Econ 9.25, 1 wkt (Nissanka). Four dots in 19th over.
- Shoriful Islam (Pacer): 4-0-35-1, Econ 8.75, 1 wkt (Kamindu Mendis). Death overs pressure.
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Spinner): 3-0-28-0, Econ 9.33, 0 wkts. Supported spinners.
Key Moments (Sri Lanka Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace/Spin (Taskin, Mustafizur) | Nissanka out (22/1, 3.5 ov); 50/1 at end. 50 runs. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Mahedi, Mehidy) | Perera out (80/2, 8.2 ov); Mendis steady. 30 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Collapse to 115/6 (15.3 ov); Hasaranga out. 35 runs, 4 wkts. |
| 16-20 | Pace (Shoriful, Taskin) | Shanaka-Asalanka 50-run stand; 64* for Shanaka. 53 runs, 1 wkt. |
Bangladesh Innings: 169/6 (19.5 overs)
Innings Summary
Bangladesh’s chase began shakily with Tanzid Hasan (8 off 6) falling to Matheesha Pathirana in the second over, but Saif Hassan (61 off 45) and Litton Das (25 off 19) built a 59-run second-wicket stand to reach 60/1 by the powerplay. After Das fell to Wanindu Hasaranga, Towhid Hridoy’s aggressive 58 off 36 (5 fours, 3 sixes) and a 54-run partnership with Saif took Bangladesh to 114/2 by the 14th over. A late wobble saw three quick wickets, including Saif and Hridoy, leaving them at 149/6 in the 18th over. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (12* off 7) and Mahedi Hasan (6* off 4) held their nerve, with Mahedi hitting the winning boundary off Dushmantha Chameera in the 19.5th over.
Key Bangladesh Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Saif Hassan | 61 (45) | 135.55 | Half-century; 59-run stand with Das; Player of the Match |
| Towhid Hridoy | 58 (36) | 161.11 | 5 fours, 3 sixes; 54-run stand with Saif |
| Litton Das | 25 (19) | 131.57 | 59-run stand with Saif; caught off Hasaranga |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 12* (7) | 171.42 | Unbeaten; steadied chase in final overs |
| Mahedi Hasan | 6* (4) | 150.00 | Unbeaten; hit winning boundary |
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Spinner): 4-0-30-2, Econ 7.50, 2 wkts (Das, Hridoy). Middle-overs breakthroughs.
- Matheesha Pathirana (Pacer): 4-0-35-2, Econ 8.75, 2 wkts (Tanzid, Shakib). Early strike.
- Maheesh Theekshana (Spinner): 4-0-28-1, Econ 7.00, 1 wkt (Saif). Tight spell.
- Dushmantha Chameera (Pacer): 3.5-0-40-1, Econ 10.43, 1 wkt (Mahmudullah). Conceded winning boundary.
- Dasun Shanaka (Pacer): 3-0-26-0, Econ 8.67, 0 wkts. Support role.
Key Moments (Bangladesh Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace/Spin (Pathirana, Theekshana) | Tanzid out (12/1, 1.5 ov); Saif-Das 59-run stand. 60/1. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Hasaranga, Theekshana) | Das out (75/2, 8.3 ov); Hridoy joins. 35 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Saif-Hridoy 54-run stand; 114/2 at 14 ov. 54 runs. |
| 16-19.5 | Pace/Spin (Chameera, Pathirana) | Saif out (135/4, 16.2 ov); 149/6 (18 ov); Mahedi wins with boundary. 55 runs, 4 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
Sri Lanka lead Bangladesh 12-5 in T20Is, but this win narrows the gap. Bangladesh’s 169/6 is their highest successful chase against Sri Lanka in T20Is, surpassing their 147/7 in 2018, per ESPNcricinfo. Mustafizur’s 3/20 is his best against Sri Lanka, while Saif’s 61 is his maiden T20I fifty in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka’s fielding efficiency was 78.3%, with two dropped catches (Saif at 22, Hridoy at 15), which proved costly.
Bangladesh’s Strengths:
- Top-order stability: Saif (61) and Hridoy (58) absorbed pressure, with 113 runs from partnerships.
- Seam bowling: Mustafizur’s 3/20 and Taskin’s 19th over stifled Sri Lanka’s middle order.
Sri Lanka’s Strengths:
- Lower-order fightback: Shanaka’s 64* off 37 salvaged a competitive total.
- Spin attack: Hasaranga (2/30) and Theekshana (1/28) kept Bangladesh in check.
Match Standouts
Bangladesh
- Saif Hassan: 61 off 45, SR 135.55, Player of the Match. Anchored chase; four fours, two sixes.
- Towhid Hridoy: 58 off 36, SR 161.11. 5 fours, 3 sixes; aggressive middle-overs push.
- Mustafizur Rahman: 3/20, Econ 5.00. Three wickets; game-changing spell.
Sri Lanka
- Dasun Shanaka: 64* off 37, SR 173.00. 6 sixes, 2 fours; rescued innings.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 2/30, Econ 7.50. Two wickets; broke key partnerships.
- Kusal Mendis: 34 off 26, SR 130.77. Stabilized early innings.
Series Context
Bangladesh (1-0 in Super Four, 2-1 overall)
This win, following a group-stage victory over Hong Kong and a loss to Sri Lanka, gives Bangladesh momentum heading into their India clash on September 24. Their top-order form and Mustafizur’s cutters make them a strong contender for the final.
Sri Lanka (0-1 in Super Four, 2-1 overall)
After group-stage wins over Bangladesh and Hong Kong, Sri Lanka’s first loss exposes middle-order vulnerabilities. They face Pakistan on September 23, where their spinners will be crucial on Dubai’s dry pitches.
Injury and Roster Notes
- Bangladesh: No reported injuries; Shakib Al Hasan played despite a finger concern.
- Sri Lanka: Matheesha Pathirana bowled through a minor hamstring niggle; no changes reported.
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s 4-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka (SL 168/7; BAN 169/6) in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four showcased their chasing prowess, with Saif Hassan’s 61 and Mustafizur Rahman’s 3/20 outshining Shanaka’s heroic 64*. This result shakes up the Super Four race, with Bangladesh now a serious title contender. Sri Lanka must regroup to maintain their final hopes. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, or Al Jazeera.
