The Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 stage opened with fireworks at the Dubai International Stadium as Bangladesh pulled off a thrilling win against Sri Lanka. Fans packed the stands, and they were treated to a contest that had drama, momentum swings, and a finish that went right down to the final ball.
Bangladesh eventually crossed the line by four wickets, keeping their campaign alive and sending their supporters into loud celebration.
Sri Lanka Probable XI
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka | Batter |
| 2 | Kusal Mendis (wk) | Wicketkeeper/Batter |
| 3 | Charith Asalanka | Batter |
| 4 | Dhananjaya de Silva | Allrounder |
| 5 | Sadeera Samarawickrama | Batter |
| 6 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Allrounder/Spinner |
| 7 | Dasun Shanaka (c) | Allrounder |
| 8 | Chamika Karunaratne | Allrounder |
| 9 | Matheesa Pathirana | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Maheesh Theekshana | Spinner |
| 11 | Dilshan Madushanka | Fast Bowler |
Bangladesh Probable XI
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Litton Das (wk) | Wicketkeeper/Batter |
| 2 | Tanzid Hasan | Batter |
| 3 | Najmul Hossain Shanto | Batter |
| 4 | Towhid Hridoy | Batter |
| 5 | Shakib Al Hasan (c) | Allrounder/Spinner |
| 6 | Mahmudullah Riyad | Allrounder |
| 7 | Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Allrounder/Spinner |
| 8 | Taskin Ahmed | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Mustafizur Rahman | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Shoriful Islam | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Nasum Ahmed | Spinner |
Sri Lanka’s Early Struggles and Shanaka’s Fightback
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first, hoping to post a challenging score. But the new ball offered swing under the lights, and Bangladesh struck early. Kusal Perera edged behind without making an impact, and even though Pathum Nissanka played some classy strokes for his 28, he too departed quickly.
At 85 for 4 in the 12th over, Sri Lanka were in real trouble. That’s when skipper Dasun Shanaka took charge. He started cautiously before launching a stunning counterattack. Smashing both spinners and seamers, he raced to 64 off 37 balls, hitting boundaries at will. His innings changed the mood in the stadium and lifted Sri Lanka to a respectable 168 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers had their moments too. Mustafizur Rahman was outstanding with his variations, finishing with figures of 3 for 20. Mahedi Hasan also took two crucial wickets, ensuring Sri Lanka didn’t post an even bigger total.
Bangladesh’s Stuttering Start
Chasing 169, Bangladesh’s innings began on shaky ground. Litton Das fell cheaply, and Soumya Sarkar soon followed, leaving them struggling at 32 for 2 inside the powerplay. Sri Lanka’s pace ace Matheesa Pathirana bowled with serious fire, using bouncers and yorkers to keep the batters unsettled.
For a while, it seemed Sri Lanka might completely derail the chase. But Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy had other ideas. Together, they built a match-changing 102-run stand. Saif played the sheet-anchor role with a steady 61 from 45 balls, while Hridoy provided fireworks, smashing 58 off 37 balls. Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also shifted the pressure back onto Sri Lanka.
The Nerve-Racking Finish
Even after that big stand, the drama wasn’t over. Sri Lanka fought back in the death overs with two quick wickets, including Hridoy’s. Suddenly, Bangladesh’s chase wobbled again. With 20 runs needed from the last three overs, the match was wide open.
Dilshan Madushanka bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding only six runs, which left Bangladesh needing nine off the final over. Shanaka handed the ball to Pathirana, his most reliable bowler in crunch situations.
The last over was pure drama. Saif Hassan hit a boundary first ball, but Pathirana responded with a dot and then dismissed him with a searing yorker. With four runs needed from the final two balls, the tension reached its peak.
A desperate double left Bangladesh needing two from the last ball. Under immense pressure, the lower-order batter found a gap and completed the chase with one delivery to spare. Bangladesh finished at 169 for 6 in 19.5 overs, sealing a memorable victory.
Star Performers of the Match
For Sri Lanka, Shanaka’s captain’s knock of 64 was the highlight. His power hitting in the death overs gave his team a fighting chance. Pathirana also impressed with two wickets and brilliant death bowling.
For Bangladesh, Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy were the match-winners. Their 102-run partnership turned the tide of the game. Saif’s calmness under pressure earned him the Player of the Match award, while Hridoy’s attacking approach kept the run chase on track.
Mustafizur Rahman’s 3-for also proved vital in restricting Sri Lanka earlier in the evening.
The Turning Points
- Shanaka’s explosive finish gave Sri Lanka belief after a shaky start.
- The 102-run stand between Saif and Hridoy turned the game in Bangladesh’s favor.
- Mustafizur’s tight middle overs stopped Sri Lanka from crossing 180.
- And finally, the last over — full of twists — where Bangladesh held their nerve while Sri Lanka faltered.
What the Result Means
For Bangladesh, this win is massive. It’s not only revenge for their earlier loss to Sri Lanka in the group stage, but also a crucial step toward qualifying for the final. The victory lifts the team’s confidence and keeps their Asia Cup dream alive.
For Sri Lanka, the loss will sting. Their batting showed promise, but lapses in death bowling and missed chances in the field cost them dearly. They’ll need to bounce back quickly to stay alive in the Super 4 stage.
Final Thoughts
The Dubai crowd witnessed a modern classic — early wickets, fearless batting, skillful bowling, and a finish that could not have been scripted better. Bangladesh showed resilience and calmness under fire, while Sri Lanka fought hard but came up short.
As the Asia Cup 2025 rolls on, this game will be remembered as one of the tournament’s standout clashes. For Bangladesh fans, it was a night of joy; for Sri Lanka, it was a harsh reminder that even small mistakes can decide big matches.
