Sri Lanka Dominates Bangladesh in 2025 Asia Cup Opener

In a compelling display of cricket, Sri Lanka secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their first match of the 2025 Asia Cup, held in Abu Dhabi. This match not only marked the commencement of the tournament for both teams but also showcased the return of key players and highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each side.

Wanindu Hasaranga’s Return

One of the standout performances came from Wanindu Hasaranga, who made a significant impact upon his return to international cricket. After missing the previous series against Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury, Hasaranga delivered impressive figures of 2 wickets for 25 runs. His second over was particularly eventful; he nearly claimed the wicket of Jaker Ali with a sharp googly that grazed the off stump, yet surprisingly, both bails remained intact.

Hasaranga’s performance was crucial in dismantling the Bangladeshi batting lineup, contributing to a dramatic collapse that saw Bangladesh slump from a promising position to a precarious one.

Bangladesh’s Struggles

Bangladesh faced early challenges, especially after dropping a crucial catch that would come back to haunt them. Mahedi Hassan failed to hold onto a two-handed catch close to the 30-metre circle while attempting to dismiss Mishara when he was on just 1 run. This missed opportunity allowed Mishara to build a solid innings that ultimately contributed to Sri Lanka’s success.

Despite losing key players like Kusal Perera and captain Dasun Shanaka early in their innings, Mishara’s unbeaten knock of 32 runs off 32 balls helped Sri Lanka finish the game convincingly, with more than five overs to spare.

Bowling Excellence

The Sri Lankan bowling attack, led by Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara, proved to be formidable. Both bowlers executed impressive yorkers during the death overs, with Chameera concluding his spell with figures of 1 wicket for 17 runs over four overs, mirroring Thushara’s performance. The duo’s relentless pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen resulted in a series of wickets, including the crucial dismissal of captain Litton Das, who fell leg before wicket while attempting a reverse sweep against Hasaranga.

Bangladesh’s innings ended with a total of 139 runs for the loss of five wickets, a recovery that was largely thanks to Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali, who put together an unbroken partnership of 86 runs off 61 balls. Hossain scored 42 runs, while Ali contributed 41 runs, but their efforts came too late to salvage the innings.

Pathum Nissanka’s Milestone

On the batting front, Pathum Nissanka emerged as a key player for Sri Lanka, reaching a significant milestone during the match. Nissanka scored a brisk 50 runs off just 34 balls, making him the quickest Sri Lankan batter to reach 2,000 runs in T20 cricket, achieving this landmark in just 68 innings. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Kusal Perera, who reached the milestone in 76 innings.

Nissanka’s innings was characterized by his ability to manipulate the line and lengths of the Bangladeshi bowlers, hitting six fours and a six. His partnership with Kamil Mishara, who remained not out at 46, was pivotal, as they combined for a 95-run stand that effectively sealed the game for Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s comprehensive victory over Bangladesh sets a positive tone for their campaign in the 2025 Asia Cup. The match highlighted the effectiveness of their bowling attack and the batting prowess of players like Nissanka and Mishara. As the tournament progresses, Sri Lanka will look to build on this momentum, while Bangladesh will need to regroup and address their batting inconsistencies.

Key Facts

– **Match**: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 2025 Asia Cup
– **Location**: Abu Dhabi
– **Result**: Sri Lanka won by six wickets
– **Top Performers**:
– Wanindu Hasaranga: 2 wickets for 25 runs
– Pathum Nissanka: 50 runs off 34 balls (quickest Sri Lankan to 2,000 T20 runs)
– Kamil Mishara: 46 not out
– **Bangladesh Total**: 139 runs for 5 wickets
– **Sri Lanka Total**: 140 runs for 4 wickets (finished with over 5 overs to spare)

Source: www.aljazeera.com