SL vs BAN Super 4 Asia Cup 2025: Rahman’s 3-Wicket Haul and Saif-Hridoy Partnership Seal Win for Bangladesh
Rahman bowled really well giving away only 20 runs and taking 3 wickets. Later, Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy scored solid half-centuries, which helped Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 169, Bangladesh reached the target with six wickets down and just one ball left in the match.
For the Tigers, opener Saif Hassan was the star with a steady 61 runs from 45 balls hitting four fours and two sixes. In the middle order, Towhid Hridoy played a quick knock of 58 from 37 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes. The pair also built a crucial 54-run stand for the third wicket. Apart from them, captain Litton Das added 23 runs, while Shamim Hossain stayed unbeaten on 14.
Bangladesh looked in full control while chasing 169, right up until the last over. But Dasun Shanaka turned the game around with two quick wickets that created real drama. For Sri Lanka, Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga picked up two wickets each, while Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara grabbed one each.
Take a bow, Dasun! 🙌
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 20, 2025
The 🇱🇰 all-rounder displayed his power game in a brutal assualt, smashing 6️⃣4️⃣* that included 6️⃣ maximums! 💪💥#SLvBAN #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/36CCotwuiZ
Batting first, the defending champions put up 168/7 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka began their chase in style with openers Pathum Nissanka and the in-form Kusal Mendis added 44 runs in just five overs. The stand was broken at the very end of the fifth over when Taskin Ahmed dismissed Nissanka, who was caught at deep midwicket by Saif Hassan. Nissanka made 22 runs from 15 balls hitting three fours and a six.
After Nissanka got out, Sri Lanka went through a mini collapse losing three more wickets quickly including their last-match hero Kusal Mendis. They slipped to 97/4 in 13.4 overs. Mendis was still among the runs scoring 34 off 25 balls with three sixes and a four. But then, experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka joined captain Charith Asalanka and the two turned things around. They smashed a quick 57-run stand for the fifth wicket in just 27 balls bringing Sri Lanka back in control.
The big partnership ended at the very start of the 19th over when Asalanka was run out. He made 21 from 12 balls, hitting a six and a four. Soon after, Mustafizur Rahman struck twice in the same over removing Kamindu Mendis for 1 and Wanindu Hasaranga for 2 slowing down Sri Lanka’s push for a bigger score. But Dasun Shanaka held his ground and stayed unbeaten.
Shanaka was the star with the bat, finishing on 64 not out from 37 balls smashing six sixes and three fours. For Bangladesh, Mustafizur was the best bowler with brilliant figures of 3/20 in four overs. Mahedi took two wickets, while Taskin added one to his name.
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