Bangladesh edge Sri Lanka past by four wickets in Asia Cup Super Four thriller

Bangladesh began their Asia Cup Super Four campaign on a high note, edging past Sri Lanka by four wickets in a thrilling contest played in Dubai on Saturday, 24NewsHD TV reported.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Liton Das chose to field first, sending Sri Lanka in to bat.

The islanders posted a competitive total of 168 for seven in their allotted 20 overs, but Bangladesh held their nerve to chase down the target with just one ball to spare, finishing on 169 for six.

Sri Lanka’s innings was powered by captain Dasun Shanaka, who played a blazing knock of 64 not out off 37 deliveries, including three fours and six sixes.

Kusal Mendis chipped in with 34 runs and Pathum Nissanka added 22, but the rest of the batting order struggled to make significant contributions against a disciplined Bangladeshi attack.

Mustafizur Rahman was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, returning figures of three for 20 in his four overs, while Mehidy Hasan claimed two wickets and Taskin Ahmed took one.

Chasing 169, Bangladesh made a strong start with aggressive batting.

Opener Saeem Hassan top-scored with a fluent 61 off 45 balls, laced with two fours and four sixes.

Captain Liton Das added a quickfire 23 from 16 deliveries, while Towhid Hridoy played a crucial role with a 37-ball 58 that included four boundaries and two sixes.

Shamim Hossain kept his composure in the final stages, remaining unbeaten on 14 from 12 balls, with Nasum Ahmed contributing a single off the penultimate delivery to seal the win.

Jaker Ali scored nine from four balls before being dismissed, while Mehidy Hasan was out without scoring.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought hard to keep the contest alive.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the most effective, claiming two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs.

Captain Shanaka backed up his batting heroics with the ball, taking two wickets for 21 in 2.5 overs. Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara picked up one wicket each, though they proved expensive in the death overs.

The tightly fought encounter kept fans on edge until the final overs, as both sides battled hard to secure early momentum in the decisive stage of the tournament.

Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and elected to field first against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup Super Four stage.   

Explaining his decision, Das noted that in an earlier match at the same venue, the team batting second had emerged victorious.

 He admitted to being slightly uncertain about the wicket’s behavior but expressed confidence in his side’s ability to perform well.

“We are all very excited, and every player is giving their best performance. We have made two changes in our playing XI,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s skipper Charith Asalanka remarked that he, too, would have opted to bowl first had he won the toss.

 “The pitch is dry and worn, but it doesn’t make much difference to us that we are batting first,” he stated.

Asalanka praised the younger players in his squad, emphasizing their strong performances and contributions to the team.

Sri Lanka entered the contest with an unchanged playing XI, maintaining the same combination from their previous matches.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh: 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Nasum Ahmed, 8 Shoriful Islam, 9 Mahedi Hasan, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
 
Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dunith Wellalage, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Thushara