Match: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Match 5, Group B)
Date/Venue: 13 September 2025, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Result: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets with 5.2 overs to spare.
Match Overview
Sri Lanka began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign brilliantly, registering a convincing win over Bangladesh. Bangladesh, after a shaky start, tried to recover with a mid-innings fightback but never really had the upper hand. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, showed more consistency and seized control early through their bowling, then backed it up with good top order batting.
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Score Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 139/5 in 20 overs |
| Sri Lanka | 140/4 in 14.4 overs |
Key performers:
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Pathum Nissanka scored a fluent 50 off 34 balls for Sri Lanka.
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Kamil Mishara 46* off 32 balls (not out) to finish off the chase.
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For Bangladesh, Shamim Hossain (42*) and Jaker Ali (41) put together a crucial sixth-wicket partnership.
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Sri Lanka’s bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara among others delivered with early breakthroughs.
Bangladesh’s Innings Breakdown
Early Struggles (Powerplay Overs: 1-6)
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Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first.
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Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start: 0 wickets for 2 runs in the first two overs. Sri Lankan bowlers, especially pace, struck quickly.
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Bangladesh’s top order couldn’t settle. Over-pitching, swing or seam movement, or disciplined line and length from Sri Lanka made scoring difficult. Bangladesh were under pressure early.
Middle Overs (Overs 7-15)
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After early wickets, Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain came together and built a solid partnership. Their stand — 41 (Jaker) + 42 (Shamim)* — was the backbone of Bangladesh’s innings.
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However, other batters failed to chip in significantly. The middle order lacked momentum apart from that rescue. Run rate was moderate; Bangladesh ended with 139/5. Not a terrible total, but under par given Sri Lanka’s batting depth.
Death Overs (Overs 16-20)
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In the last few overs, Bangladesh attempted to up the scoring, but weren’t able to add very large hitting contributions. The pressure built up because of earlier collapse.
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Wickets fell at inopportune times and Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept it tight. No explosive finish. 139 was the final.
Sri Lanka’s Chase: A Measured Response
Powerplay (Overs 1-6)
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Sri Lanka started responsibly, not letting early wickets or dot balls derail the chase. The opening overs were steady.
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Pathum Nissanka made an impact early, rotating strike and picking boundaries as opportunities came. The start allowed Sri Lanka to settle without panic.
Middle Overs (Overs 7-12)
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As required run rate remained manageable, Sri Lanka accelerated. Nissanka reached his half-century in this segment.
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Kamil Mishara joined, and after a dropped chance that gave him life, he treated it as chance to take responsibility.
Finishing Phase (Overs 13-20; they only needed until 14.4)
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Sri Lanka closed in efficiently. With wickets in hand, they didn’t take unnecessary risks.
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They chased down 140 with 5.2 overs to spare. That means they reached in 14.4 overs.
Player Ratings
Here are approximate ratings out of 10, judging by performance, impact, and match situation:
| Player | Team | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | SL | 8.5 | Did the job of anchoring the chase. Good strike rate + composure. |
| Kamil Mishara | SL | 8/10 | Took advantage when required, kept nerves steady until the end. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | SL | 7.5 | Key with the ball, helped break through and keep pressure. |
| Nuwan Thushara | SL | 7/10 | Early breakthroughs (including a maiden start) gave SL momentum. |
| Dushmantha Chameera | SL | 7/10 | Bowled well, created chances early. |
| Shamim Hossain | BAN | 7/10 | One of the few positives; fighting knock under pressure. |
| Jaker Ali | BAN | 6.5/10 | Showed some grit with his 41, but support from others was missing. |
| Bangladesh’s top order | BAN | 4/10 | Poor start; could not capitalize early. |
Tactical Insights & Key Moments
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Toss Decision
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl. Given Abu Dhabi’s conditions — likely some help early for bowlers, perhaps slower pitch later — this was a smart call. It allowed them to exploit early seam movement and swing. -
Early Wickets Set the Tone
The fact that Bangladesh lost 2 wickets for barely any runs early forced them into a defensive mindset. That early collapse made the rest of the innings patchwork rather than a consistent buildup. -
Bangladesh’s Rescue Partnership
The sixth-wicket stand between Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain was crucial. Without this, Bangladesh might have collapsed to a much lower total. But it came too late to change momentum decisively. -
Sri Lanka’s Composure
Sri Lanka didn’t rush. Even when run rate climbed, the batters picked the right shots, rotated strike well, and waited for loose deliveries. Pressure from the fielding side (dot balls, disciplined bowling) was handled well. -
Bowling Changes & Pressure
Sri Lanka’s bowlers rotated well. Early pace, then spin/changing pace in middle overs, maintaining pressure. Also, bowlers like Thushara and Chameera getting maidens shows discipline.
Statistical Highlights & Records
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Bangladesh’s 139/5 was rescued somewhat by the 86-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
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Sri Lanka chased 140 in 14.4 overs — meaning a required run rate which they well undercut.
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Pathum Nissanka’s fifty off 34 balls.
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Kamil Mishara’s unbeaten 46 off 32 added finishing polish.
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Sri Lanka bowled two consecutive maidens to start their bowling innings. That rare start helped put Bangladesh on back foot.
What This Means for Both Teams
Sri Lanka
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Good start in the group. This win gives them confidence, especially with net run rate – finishing with an over of cushion helps.
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Their top and middle order combined nicely; shows depth.
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Bowlers delivered when expected, especially early in innings, putting Bangladesh under pressure.
Bangladesh
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The top order collapse remains a concern. If they want to compete, need stronger starts.
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Their middle-order rescue was commendable, but really, they need more consistency from more players, not just a couple.
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Net run rate now becomes crucial; they may need to win remaining match(es) with good margins.
Comparison / Historical Context
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The “Naagin rivalry” (named after snake celebration) adds flavor to this fixture. Matches between Bangladesh & Sri Lanka often have narrative beyond just runs and wickets.
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Historically, Sri Lanka has more often had the upper hand in Asia Cup matches vs Bangladesh. This result is consistent with that trend.
What to Improve & Looking Ahead
For Bangladesh:
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Stronger starts are essential. If they lose early wickets, they’re always playing catch up.
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Death-over bowling needs to tighten up — both in runs and in conceding boundaries.
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Fielding and dropped chances matter: Bangladesh dropped a chance (caught vs dropped) which might have cost them control.
For Sri Lanka:
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While this was a strong performance, they need to maintain consistency.
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They need to guard against complacency in tougher matches.
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Continue using their depth (bowlers + batters) smartly; managing workload.
Read Past Match Results:
Pakistan vs Oman: Full Match Highlights Asia Cup 2025
Bangladesh vs Hong Kong Highlights Asia Cup 2025
Conclusion
The Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match in Asia Cup 2025 was a fairly comfortable win for Sri Lanka, but not without its challenges. Bangladesh showed fight, especially with the rescue partnership, but the early damage was too much to fully overcome. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, executed better across the board — bowlers struck at the right times, and batters paced the chase intelligently.
In the high-stakes environment of a tournament like the Asia Cup, this kind of all-round performance can be a separator. Sri Lanka have set a solid foundation; Bangladesh now must regroup quickly if they hope to stay in the race for the next stage.
