Sri Lanka kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a high-stakes Group B clash at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on September 13, 2025. This article breaks down the match with player stats, innings summaries, and key moments, sourced from verified outlets. A disciplined bowling effort led by Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera restricted Bangladesh to 139/5, while Pathum Nissanka’s half-century and Kamil Mishara’s unbeaten 46 sealed a swift chase with 5.2 overs to spare. Below, we dissect Sri Lanka’s dominant display.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Match Player Stats
- Match Covered: 5th Match, Group B — September 13, 2025
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (with 32 balls remaining) (Bangladesh 139/5; Sri Lanka 140/4 in 14.4 overs)
- Venue & Date: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi — September 13, 2025
- Toss: Sri Lanka won and elected to bowl
- Match Duration: 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Attendance: ~15,000
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first paid dividends on a dry, two-paced pitch where early swing and later spin challenged batters. Bangladesh, despite a late recovery via an 86-run sixth-wicket stand, struggled against precise bowling. Sri Lanka’s chase was clinical, with a 95-run second-wicket partnership overpowering Bangladesh’s spinners. This win boosts Sri Lanka’s NRR and puts pressure on Bangladesh in a tight Group B alongside Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
Bangladesh Innings: 139/5 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Bangladesh were rocked early, slumping to 0/2 after back-to-back wicket maidens from Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera, a rare T20I feat. A 53/5 low in the 10th over highlighted Sri Lanka’s dominance, with Chameera’s yorkers and Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin proving lethal. Shamim Hossain (42* off 34) and Jaker Ali (41* off 33) staged a crucial 86-run unbroken sixth-wicket stand, lifting Bangladesh to 139/5. The pair’s cautious 120s strike rates reflected a tricky surface, with only one six across the innings.
Key Bangladesh Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Shamim Hossain | 42* (34) | 123.53 | Unbeaten; rebuilt with Jaker |
| Jaker Ali | 41* (33) | 124.24 | Unbeaten; 86-run 6th-wkt stand |
| Towhid Hridoy | 20 (18) | 111.11 | Brief resistance; caught off Hasaranga |
| Litton Das (C, WK) | 0 (4) | 0.00 | Golden duck; lbw to Thushara |
| Tanzid Hasan | 0 (1) | 0.00 | Out second ball; caught off Chameera |
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures
- Nuwan Thushara (Pacer): 4-1-15-2, Econ 3.75, 2 wkts (Das, Emon). Wicket maiden in powerplay.
- Dushmantha Chameera (Pacer): 4-1-18-2, Econ 4.50, 2 wkts (Hasan, Hridoy). Wicket maiden start.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Spinner): 4-0-28-1, Econ 7.00, 1 wkt (Hridoy). Middle-overs control.
- Matheesha Pathirana (Pacer): 4-0-30-0, Econ 7.50, 0 wkts. Pressured death overs.
- Mahedi Hasan (Spinner): 3-0-22-0, Econ 7.33, 0 wkts. Tight but wicketless.
Key Moments (Bangladesh Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Thushara, Chameera) | Das lbw (0/1, 0.4 ov); Hasan caught (0/2, 1.1 ov). 21/2. |
| 7-10 | Spin/pace mix | Hridoy out (53/5, 9.6 ov); Shamim-Jaker start stand. 32 runs. |
| 11-15 | Spin choke | 86-run stand begins; 21-ball boundary drought. 28 runs. |
| 16-20 | Pace return | Shamim-Jaker unbeaten; one six total. 58 runs, 0 wkts. |
Sri Lanka Innings: 140/4 (14.4 overs)
Innings Summary
Chasing 140, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera early but roared back with a 95-run second-wicket stand between Pathum Nissanka (50 off 34) and Kamil Mishara (46* off 32). Nissanka’s fluent half-century, including a 50th T20I run milestone, and Mishara’s aggressive finish capitalized on Bangladesh’s loose bowling, with five wides from Mustafizur Rahman proving costly. Mahedi Hasan’s 2/24, including Nissanka’s wicket, offered brief hope, but Sri Lanka cruised home in 14.4 overs, with dew aiding the chase.
Key Sri Lanka Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Pathum Nissanka | 50 (34) | 147.06 | 50 off 34; 2,000th T20I run |
| Kamil Mishara | 46* (32) | 143.75 | Unbeaten; Player of the Match |
| Kusal Perera | 7 (5) | 140.00 | Early reverse-sweep lbw; review lost |
| Dasun Shanaka | 6 (6) | 100.00 | Caught at fine-leg; mistimed loft |
| Charith Asalanka (C) | 5* (3) | 166.67 | Hit winning six |
Bangladesh Bowling Figures
- Mahedi Hasan (Spinner): 4-0-24-2, Econ 6.00, 2 wkts (Perera, Nissanka). Key breakthroughs.
- Mustafizur Rahman (Pacer): 3-0-28-1, Econ 9.33, 1 wkt (Shanaka). Five wides hurt.
- Rishad Hossain (Spinner): 3-0-25-0, Econ 8.33, 0 wkts. Struggled with dew.
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib (Pacer): 3-0-27-1, Econ 9.00, 1 wkt (Mishara attempt). Late pressure.
- Shoriful Islam (Pacer): 2.4-0-20-0, Econ 7.50, 0 wkts. Running catch effort.
Key Moments (Sri Lanka Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace/spin mix | Perera lbw after review (7/1, 2.2 ov); 55/1 with three sixes. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Mahedi, Rishad) | Nissanka-Mishara 95-run stand; 100/1 at 10 ov. 52 runs. |
| 11-13 | Mixed attack | Nissanka out (109/2, 11.1 ov); Mishara’s 40 off 26. 26 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 14-14.4 | Pace return | Shanaka out (136/4, 14.1 ov); Asalanka’s six wins it. 14 runs, 2 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
Sri Lanka extended their T20I head-to-head lead over Bangladesh to 13-8, with this win marking their third in five recent meetings. The 86-run sixth-wicket stand by Shamim and Jaker is Bangladesh’s highest for that wicket in T20 Asia Cup history, per ESPNcricinfo. Sri Lanka’s two maiden overs to start a T20I innings are a rare feat, only the second instance in T20I history. Bangladesh’s cautious batting and loose bowling (11 extras) contrasted with Sri Lanka’s balanced attack and aggressive chase, highlighting the gap on the day.
Bangladesh’s Strengths:
- Late recovery: 86-run stand from 53/5.
- Mahedi Hasan’s spin: 2/24 in chase.
Sri Lanka’s Strengths:
- Powerplay bowling: Two wicket maidens; 0/2 start.
- Top-order chase: 95-run stand; Nissanka-Mishara fluency.
Match Standouts
Sri Lanka
- Pathum Nissanka: 50 off 34. Timed half-century; 2,000th T20I run.
- Kamil Mishara: 46* off 32, Player of the Match. Unbeaten; survived dropped catch.
- Nuwan Thushara: 2/15, Econ 3.75. Wicket maiden; removed Das.
Bangladesh
- Shamim Hossain: 42* off 34. Rescued innings from 53/5.
- Jaker Ali: 41* off 33. Key stand with Shamim.
- Mahedi Hasan: 2/24. Removed Nissanka, Perera.
Series Context
Sri Lanka (1-0, Top of Group B)
Charith Asalanka’s side, the 2022 T20 Asia Cup champions, leveraged their spin and pace depth for a strong start. The NRR boost positions them well for Hong Kong (Sep 15) and Afghanistan (Sep 18). Focus: Maintaining bowling precision.
Bangladesh (1-1, 2nd in Group B)
Litton Das’s side, after beating Hong Kong, now face NRR pressure in a must-win against Afghanistan (Sep 16). Coach Chandika Hathurusingha stressed sharper bowling execution post-match.
Injury and Roster Notes
Bangladesh: Taskin Ahmed rested; Shoriful Islam included.
Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga fit after hamstring injury.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka outclassed Bangladesh by six wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 opener (BAN 139/5; SL 140/4 in 14.4 overs), with Nissanka’s 50 and Mishara’s 46* overpowering a 139-run target. Bangladesh’s late batting fight couldn’t mask early collapses and bowling lapses. This result strengthens Sri Lanka’s Super Four bid, while Bangladesh face a do-or-die clash next. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, The Indian Express, Times of India, NDTV Sports, or MyKhel.
