Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AP

The Asia Cup 2025 got off to an exciting start in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, September 13, where Sri Lanka showed their dominance by defeating Bangladesh with ease. The six-time champions registered a comfortable six-wicket victory in their opening Group B clash, reminding everyone why they remain one of the strongest teams in the region.

Sri Lanka’s star of the night was opener Pathum Nissanka, who played a brilliant innings, scoring a 50 runs off just 34 balls. His knock included six boundaries and one powerful six that lifted the spirits of the Sri Lankan fans. He built a strong 95-run stand for the second wicket with Kamil Mishara, who stayed unbeaten on 46 runs from 32 deliveries, guiding the team home with calmness and confidence.

Bangladesh Struggles in Batting

Earlier in the evening, Bangladesh had a tough time setting a competitive target. Their innings never looked settled after losing both openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon — for ducks. Pace bowlers Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera were responsible for those early blows, leaving Bangladesh in shock at the very start.

The middle order tried to fight back, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. It was only in the later overs that Shamim Hossain (42 not out) and Jaker Ali (41 not out) saved Bangladesh from complete collapse. Together, they added 86 runs for the sixth wicket, helping their side post a total of 139 runs in 20 overs. But for a strong team like Sri Lanka, this score was far below par.

Sri Lanka’s Bowling Brilliance

Sri Lanka’s bowlers were highly effective, led by the experienced spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who took 2 wickets for 25 runs. His sharp spin created big problems for the Bangladeshi batsmen, not allowing them to build any momentum. Alongside him, pacers Thushara and Chameera bowled tight spells, both finishing with 1 wicket each for 17 runs.

Their combined effort meant that Bangladesh never really looked like threatening to post a big score. Even though Shamim and Jaker managed to bring some respectability to the total, it was always going to be too little against Sri Lanka’s strong batting line-up.

Sri Lanka’s Confident Chase

When Sri Lanka came out to chase, they lost an early wicket but didn’t let the pressure affect them. Nissanka and Mishara batted with great confidence, playing attacking shots while keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their partnership took the game away from Bangladesh very quickly.

By the time Sri Lanka reached the 15th over, they had already crossed the finishing line, ending at 140 for 4 in just 14.4 overs. It was a display of pure dominance, showing that the Sri Lankans are in fine form and ready to go deep in this tournament.

What This Means for the Tournament

This victory gives Sri Lanka an excellent start in Group B. Winning the first match not only boosts their confidence but also strengthens their chances of qualifying for the next stage of the Asia Cup. For Bangladesh, however, the defeat is a wake-up call. Their batting line-up, except for Shamim and Jaker, failed to deliver, and they will need to regroup quickly if they hope to stay alive in the competition.

The Asia Cup has always been a stage for intense rivalries and close matches between Asian cricketing nations. With Sri Lanka beginning their campaign on such a strong note, fans can expect even more exciting contests in the days ahead.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2025, Pathum Nissanka fifty