Bangladesh Beat Sri Lanka in Asia Cup Thriller at Dubai

Bangladesh pulled off a thrilling four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening Super Fours match of the Asia Cup on Saturday, chasing down 169 with just one ball to spare at the Dubai International Stadium.

Saif Hassan smashed 61 off 45 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes, while Towhid Hridoy added 58 off 37 balls with two sixes, as Bangladesh completed their third-highest successful T20I chase.

Requiring five runs from the final over, Jaker Ali hit a boundary off the first ball from Dasun Shanaka, but was bowled the very next delivery. Shanaka then removed Mahedi Hasan for a duck, adding drama to the finish. But Nasum Ahmed and Shamim Hossain (14* off 12) held their nerve to take Bangladesh across the line on the penultimate ball — ending Sri Lanka’s unbeaten run in the tournament.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 168-7, powered by Shanaka’s unbeaten 64 off 37 balls, featuring six sixes. He shared a quick 57-run stand with Charith Asalanka (21 off 12). Despite a solid start by Pathum Nissanka (22) and Kusal Mendis (34), the middle order collapsed as Mahedi Hasan struck twice in the 10th over.

Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan early for a duck, but Litton Das (23) and Saif Hassan steadied the innings with a 59-run partnership. Saif reached his fifty in 36 balls and later added 54 runs with Hridoy to set up the chase.

Although Hridoy was dismissed in the 19th over by Dushmantha Chameera, Shamim Hossain ensured Bangladesh crossed the finish line despite the tense final moments.

This was Bangladesh’s first successful 160+ run chase in T20Is in 16 attempts — the previous one also came against Sri Lanka in March 2024.

India and Pakistan are scheduled to face off in the next Super Fours clash on Sunday.